I Hate Telstra

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

let's correct a few misunderstandings here.

1) ADSL2+ is a dog. I never recommend it, far better to go with an Open 1 (8000/384) plan. ADSL2+ is a variable speed product, always changing, always trying to push as fast as it can get. This, imho, creates a lot of instabilities. Better to go with ADSL and a fixed speed product.

2) the top speeds are NEVER guaranteed - both for ADSL and ADSL2+

3) speed is dependant on several things:

a) distance from exchange

b) quality of modem - you buy your cheap crap, you get crap. Get a Cisco and you have less issues.

c) correct internal procedures (filtering, etc)

d) quality of the actual PSTN

e) quality of the DSLAM @ the exchange

4) A 1.5mb line speed is the minimum for ADSL2+. Anything less should be rejected on application.

I treat ozspeedtest.com as a rough guide. Firstly, make sure no one else is downloading anything at all. I would recommend:

ftp to:

usage.request.com.au

username = speedtest

password = testspeed

once you've logged in, set the type to:

bin

do a dir or ls to see the contents of the FTP area.

Grab and download the 5mb test with this command:

get 5mb-filetest.bin

Take note of the line speed, download time and kb/sec speeds

re: the TIO - I'm personally not a fan of the TIO. Did you know that even if the problem is not your ISPs fault, but is upstream (i.e Telstra infrastructure), if you log a complaint with the TIO, it goes against your ISP, not Telstra. In fact, ISPs cannot complain against their wholesalers either. So, when we, as an ISP get screwed, and Telstra gives us the finger, we're stuffed.

Don't even get me started on Telstra and CNI faults...

Hope this helps.

Dave

PS I work in the industry and deal with Telstra, AAPT/Powertel and Zedrez all day, every day.

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

I have noticed that the upload and download speeds for my ADSL2+ is often not much better than when I was using the free University of Newcastle dialup proxy servors. I wish there was some way of logging the upload and download speeds ( I am sure I'm being ripped off and not getting what I paid for a lot of the time because the local bandwidth is not nearly enough ).

As soon as my contract with Telstra is finished I'll be changing telcos if I can get ADSL2+ w/ unlimited downloads and the land line service cheaper.

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Originally Posted by glenluceskies

I had a similar problem during one of my Bigpond issues. The call centre people were getting my to reset the modem again and again. I kept telling them that the issues was external to my property, but I gues they have a checklist to adhere to.

OK - standard procedure (which your ISP should walk you through) for troubleshooting connections is:

1) ISP checks the rad logs (radius) for auth entries - Telstra techs will run an OATS test and radsniff usually. Telstra should be able to tell via the RVOP stats if there's problems with the line etc. Also, a good, experienced tech has a good idea what the problem is when looking at the Radius logs.

2) ISP checks uptime on their core router - Telstra techs can't really do this. Few ISPs let their staff have full admin level 15 access to their core routers. I'm glad I can access our big Redback router @ work hehehe.

3) tech should get you to test dial tone (if there's no sync on the modem)

4) tech should get you to do an isolation test. Basically, that means removing every phone, fax, foxtel, electronic security alarm that shares with the ADSL line. The idea is to ONLY have a single line from the socket in the wall to the modem and see what happens. That way, you're eliminating anything internal causing an issue. If the connection then works OK, re-introduce each item one at a time and see if the connection stays stable. Make sure each and every object sharing with the ADSL is filtered, and filtered correctly.

5) reset modem and re-enter all settings

6) if available, either test the modem on another ADSL enabled line (friends place), or try another modem on the problematic line. This is a last resort.

If Telstra goes out, they usually book a commitment, which means a trip to the exchange and MDF. They usually don't go to the first socket for these, but can do so sometimes. They check the exchange, then they go to the MDF and plug in with their test modem and see what happens. If it's all good, they'll usually go to the premises and test at the first socket. This should tell them if it's a lead in issue between the MDF and first socket (still a Telstra fault). If it's OK a the first socket, then it's an internal issue (usually filtering). They will charge FFS (fee for service).

Dave

[pjphilli (Peter)]

Hi Ken
I had a very similar problem regarding costs doubling after the first year when I had negotiated a permanent reduction with Telstra. I had taken detailed notes of this negotiation which I repeated back to the operator who took my complaint. Too bad she said the double rate remains. So I said goodbye to Telstra after being a loyal customer for many years and I am now with Three wireless. I receive a 3.6Mbps service with a 1Gbyte download/month for $15 - suits me!
If I have any problems I get onto their service department in about three minutes and receive excellent attention.
With Testra I had up to a 25 minute wait with not so good service.
It took good old Yankee know how to ruin Telstra and the previous Telecom and OTC services which made it.
Cheers Peter

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Love Telstra out here where not many reside in the outback.
It seems there the only carrier out here ( Far western region) and hey there prices may be stiff but at least theres a service out here.

I,m not talking about Small towns i,m talking between them in remote locations.
Have a happy day Cheers Kev.

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

The problem is that Telstra owns most of the infrasctructure, paid for with public monies. Telstra should NEVER have been privatised, and the infrastructure should have ALWAYS remained the property of the government, and NOT Telstra.

The TIO is as useless as t*ts on a bull, and until ISPs can make formal complaints against the wholesalers, things won't get any better. Also, the TIO needs to be changed so that if a user complains about an ISP but it's a wholesaler fault, then the wholesaler cops it, not the poor ISP.

Telstra doesn't give a **** about the TIO, it doesn't even take any notice, it just pays whatever the TIO asks. Smaller and medium level ISPs get screwed badly by the process. I say disband the TIO and put something better designed in its place that will keep the wholesaler *******s honest.

Once again, we have idiotic politicians in place, making idiotic decisions on things that they know jack **** about.

Dave