What speed to expect on Fibre to the cabinet

joe123

So my current internet contract with vodafone is due to come to an end in the next month. During this time, my area was switched over to FTTC.

But currently I'm still on old ADSL copper broadband, speeds average between 7-11Mb Down, 0.6 usually.

As expected with copper, any sort of download or especially upload takes place, the speeds drop to a crawl (or just stops working for that time). Also speeds can sometimes drop to 3-6Mb.

If a second device is being used at the same time, it also impacts other devices. So its made me start looking at a WISP such as lightnet again. Speaking with a neighbour they mentioned speeds in the area with them are around 20Mb up / 3 down. For the price lightnet charge (55 euro a month + 100 euro install fee) I'm not overly keen when I might be able to get something close to that for 30 euro a month.

So to my question! I'm wondering would anyone be able to tell me what sort of connection quality/speed I could expect if I just signed up for Fibre to the Cabinet?

Airwire tell me 15M/3

Vodafone tells me "speeds up to 12Mb

My line attenuation is 23.0 (so im roughly about 1.6km from cabinet)

Going by the above stats, has anyone any experience of speeds to expect? Would I get a solid 12/13Mb down and 1/2 upload speed?

Would there be an improvement in terms of devices being impacted by downloads in the background like there is currently on DSL?

Overall would I see a general improvement in quality?

Really appreciate any info!

ED E

Your current line stats to an ADSL DSLAM may not relate to your VDSL stats unless it's exchange launched.

Normally airwire will be correct.

arccosh

I would double check that Vodafone quote... and see if it's for VDSL for definite and not just an alternate ADSL connection judging by the speed you have and the speed they quote..

my reasoning is- Vodafone have ADSL2 (not 2+) DSLAMS in some exchanges which max out at 12... so similar to getting "8 Meg (depending on line length)...." Vodafone can offer 12 Meg (depending on line length)....

The other reason would be, if it is 12 megs on VSDL, it would mean you are 2.5km at least, in line length from the DSLAM (in a cab or exchange) ....

While there are some lines like that, Open Eir had a policy of only providing to customers with 1.2km so they could offer IPTV and internet (i.e. 24-26 megs min, not sure if that's still the case though)....

There were some issues where an area got FTTC, but wasn't updated on the ordering system, so it sits there and no one can order until someone flags it.....

we need a bit more info here to find out what the issue is.

joe123

ED E wrote: »

Your current line stats to an ADSL DSLAM may not relate to your VDSL stats unless it's exchange launched.

Normally airwire will be correct.

Would the 15/3 be accurate or should I expect it 10-20% lower compared to their checker do you know? Could I end up with the exact same speeds and quality that I'm already on? The 0.6 upload is a killer and ping can jump above 100ms which ruins any online gaming.

Or by moving over from my current connection, even with this distance from the cabinet, should I expect a slightly better overall connection in terms of stability and ability to handle say 1 download and not impact another device?

joe123

arccosh wrote: »

I would double check that Vodafone quote... and see if it's for VDSL for definite and not just an alternate ADSL connection judging by the speed you have and the speed they quote..

my reasoning is- Vodafone have ADSL2 (not 2+) DSLAMS in some exchanges which max out at 12... so similar to getting "8 Meg (depending on line length)...." Vodafone can offer 12 Meg (depending on line length)....

The other reason would be, if it is 12 megs on VSDL, it would mean you are 2.5km at least, in line length from the DSLAM (in a cab or exchange) ....

While there are some lines like that, Open Eir had a policy of only providing to customers with 1.2km so they could offer IPTV and internet (i.e. 24-26 megs min, not sure if that's still the case though)....

There were some issues where an area got FTTC, but wasn't updated on the ordering system, so it sits there and no one can order until someone flags it.....

we need a bit more info here to find out what the issue is.

Well I spoke to Vodafone support before and they are absolutely useless. Outsourced somewhere and havent a clue whats going on.

All I can go off is the online Vodafone checker and my line attenuation by looking at my router. Just dont want to sign up with airwire or someone and be stuck for another year with speeds sub 12Mb and overall bad line quality.

arccosh

joe123 wrote: »

Well I spoke to Vodafone support before and they are absolutely useless. Outsourced somewhere and havent a clue whats going on.

All I can go off is the online Vodafone checker and my line attenuation by looking at my router. Just dont want to sign up with airwire or someone and be stuck for another year with speeds sub 12Mb and overall bad line quality.

being honest, with the erratic speeds and pings... I suspect there is something wrong with the line, router, or DSLAM port....

you can check your speed with Eir and do a comparison (they should be the same, but it has been known that some systems don't match for a period)... make sure it's for VDSL ....

joe123

arccosh wrote: »

being honest, with the erratic speeds and pings... I suspect there is something wrong with the line, router, or DSLAM port....

you can check your speed with Eir and do a comparison (they should be the same, but it has been known that some systems don't match for a period)... make sure it's for VDSL ....

Im not on VDSL at the moment. Im still on ADSL copper hence the ****ty speeds/poor line quality.

VDSL availability only became available half way into my contract and at the time speaking with Vodafone they were like "we could switch you over but why bother the speeds will be similar, and they wanted me to sign a new contract.

But I have no faith in Vodafone support as in large they don't have a clue. Just a team of outsourcers not really knowing much.

EDIT: Eir tell me "speeds of up to 15Mb"

arccosh

if Eir says the same I would take it as correct so....

VDSL has a wider bandwidth for upload and download, so I would believe the 15/3 ...

I know you're on ADSL, but the issues you are having are indicative of a fault somewhere (100ms ping, you shouldn't be getting at all)...

ED E

joe123 wrote: »

VDSL availability only became available half way into my contract and at the time speaking with Vodafone they were like "we could switch you over but why bother the speeds will be similar, and they wanted me to sign a new contract.

Every way you go will be a new contract. All new package installs require a contract.



Right now uploading a picture to facebook is enough to essentially DoS your own connection. 0.6Mb isnt enough to survive on the modern internet. If you managed 10_2 that'd be a significant improvement.