FTTC provider and questions

Jon20

Jon20

Jon20

Associate
Joined
12 Feb 2008
Posts
1,746
Location
Shropshire
Hi,

I'm looking to move to a FTTC/VDSL2 provider as our Virgin connection has gone pretty poor since the local student population came back. It's fine during the day but not great at peak times.

Couple of snapshots of recent days.




Anyway, looking around and most providers seem to be much of a muchness. BT seem to be coming out the cheapest as they provide a new connection for free, plus the potential cashback and pre paid card. Thinking of going with Infinity 1 as the max that could be achieved is 60Mb. Would be a drop from the 350Mb from Virgin but would hopefully be consistent. Plus potentially better latency. Would someone be able to provide TBB graphs for a FTTC connection?

I think the cabinet is an ECI? Street view link: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.7...=77.46868&pitch=0&thumbfov=100!7i13312!8i6656

Lastly, I'd like to keep using the Asus RT-AC88u that I've got. So, I would need a seperate modem. Any particular ones to look for? I've seen a Draytek Vigor 130 but not sure what else there is.
 
My Plusnet FTTC connection (it manages 62/17). The spikes mostly are when the connection is in use.

ef6850fda9c4fe75dec7581f644af690fe4467c3-23-11-2017.png


The cheapest modem option is to get hold of a used Openreach badged Huawei or ECI.

Nothing wrong with the Vigor if you want something new and are willing to spend the extra.
 
I'd avoid the Netgear DM200 - I tried one recently with an eye for a backup modem incase my main one died - it seems a bit glitchy.
 
When I had Virgin (Cardiff), I had a similar issue, called them up and they moved me to another server. Ping was perfect after that..
 
bledd said:
When I had Virgin (Cardiff), I had a similar issue, called them up and they moved me to another server. Ping was perfect after that..
Click to expand...
They don't want to even acknowledge that there is a problem. Just say that it looks good from their end (this is on the VM community forum).

The PlusNet TBB graphs look good, guess general browsing is nice and quick with the low latency?

Does anyone use powerline/homeplugs? The router would be upstairs where as the master socket (and the separate modem once purchased) are downstairs. I can run ethernet cable to link the router to the modem, but would be a bit of a faff. Powerline would be easier but I'm not sure if it's a good idea, could possibly cause a bit of interference?
 
Yup, very happy with Plusnet VDSL too..

No point in getting a static IP if you don't know what it's for :)

Makes VPN access simpler to set up etc, hosting local websites / servers.

It won't improve your connection speed or anything like that.
 
Just signed up for Unlimited Fibre Extra. As I'm technically having a new line installed, even though there's a phone line and master socket already in place, just disconnected at the cabinet end I think (no dial tone), an engineer needs to install the phone service. Do they actually come to the property or is it just connected up at the cabinet and then it's self install? Seemed a bit vague as to whether they need access.
 
bremen1874 said:
Difficult to say.

I would think that they'd want to test the line after it's reconnected and that'll require access.
Click to expand...
Ah ok, makes sense. Wouldn’t be an issue anyway. Looks as though it’s going to be installed on the 8th Dec.
 
bledd said:
What faceplate do you have at home on the master socket?

The installer will have MK4 faceplates in their van. Bacon sandwich = you now have an MK4 faceplate.

Coupled with this, you'll have the best connection possible.

https://www.tandyonline.com/high-speed-rj11-dsl-cable-0-5m.html
Click to expand...

Yep, the old master socket was changed for a new Mk4 NTE5 when some decorating was done earlier in the year. I *cough* installed it myself *cough* :p. Didn't actually think it would be needed again so soon, so hopefully I've installed correctly.
 
Hit a bit of an issue. Tried to run an ethernet cable and there’s just no easy way of getting it from where the modem will be to where my Asus router is. Tried powerline and that’s a no go, connection was flaky at best. So that leaves me with wifi. If I was to buy a modem/router, would I be able to connect that to the Asus router wirelessly? The Asus router has options for, wireless router mode (currently in that), access point mode, repeater mode and media bridge mode. Ideally, I’d like to keep the PC, consoles etc connected via ethernet to the Asus router (as they are now) and then for it to provide wifi upstairs. The new modem/router do the actual routing and provide wifi downstairs. Is that possible?
 
Just to update this, I cancelled with Plusnet before the install happened. Decided to wait for the contract to end with Virgin, which has now happened. Install is on Wednesday, went with AAISP in the end. It's not cheap at £60/month but I was paying £57/month to Virgin for a poor service, so I don't think it's too bad. 6 month contract as well.
 
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