ADSL 2+ exchange

[SMOKEU]

How do I find out the location of the ADSL 2+ exchanges in Christchurch? I have managed to find out the suburbs in which the exchanges are located, but not an exact area. Google search doesn't help much.

[Paul in NZ]

Why do you need that info?

[SMOKEU]

Why do you need that info?

I'm thinking of making the change from Telstra cable to ADSL but if I live too far from the exchange then the speeds are going to be shit, so I'd like to find out before signing up for a contract.

[Paul in NZ]

They will give you a list of connectable addresses ans should be able to test the speed from your front gate.

[sil3nt]

http://chorus.co.nz/service-availability-tool
http://hwiki.digitalsouth.net.nz/bro...ange_locations

Apparently Google Earth has them listed as well. Haven't checked though.

[iYRe]

most places have cabinets these days.. at least in Auckland anyway... not many people in urban areas should connect to the exchange directly anymore.

[Gremlin]

Service availability tool is what you're after by sil3nt ^

Otherwise, flick me a PM with the address and I'll be able to tell you indicative speeds for that line. Indicative only obviously, but you won't get faster.

[bogan]

Whats this VDSL stuff that is supposedly faster than ADSL2 and available at my address? Might be a better option for smokeu also?

[steve_t]

VDSL is way faster but still not as fast as cable, so I'm told. I've also previously asked about exchange and cabinet locations but have been told by telecom that they're not allowed to disclose that information. I guess people might go steal the equipment or something

[SMOKEU]

http://chorus.co.nz/service-availability-tool
http://hwiki.digitalsouth.net.nz/bro...ange_locations

Apparently Google Earth has them listed as well. Haven't checked though.

That map shows that I'm in an ADSL 2+ area (my place is inside the pink area on the map, very close to the edge).

Whats this VDSL stuff that is supposedly faster than ADSL2 and available at my address? Might be a better option for smokeu also?

No VDSL2 in my area unfortunately.

[Gremlin]

Whats this VDSL stuff that is supposedly faster than ADSL2 and available at my address? Might be a better option for smokeu also?

Depending on area, effectively you're getting a much faster upload. We upgraded our office from ADSL2 to VDSL, and while down is slightly faster for real world purposes of downloading (ie, receiving the data from a server) it doesn't make that much difference. Upload however, well, that's awesome, but the average person won't benefit if they're browsing the web.

VDSL is way faster but still not as fast as cable, so I'm told. I've also previously asked about exchange and cabinet locations but have been told by telecom that they're not allowed to disclose that information. I guess people might go steal the equipment or something

Generally your best bet is to ask for a line test to see what kind of speeds you could expect. Previously, we had to simply order the line and find out when the modem was connected, but now with access to a portal we've got a lot more ability, which helps advise our clients.

[bogan]

Depending on area, effectively you're getting a much faster upload. We upgraded our office from ADSL2 to VDSL, and while down is slightly faster for real world purposes of downloading (ie, receiving the data from a server) it doesn't make that much difference. Upload however, well, that's awesome, but the average person won't benefit if they're browsing the web.

How about the latency for gaming?

[Gremlin]

How about the latency for gaming?

That's a complex question. It depends on the provider, whether you're connecting to a server they actually host, or going somewhere else. If you're going somewhere else, it depends on their links to their peers, how the data is cached or routed etc. This can also change over time, as a provider seeks to reduce costs (buying cheaper bandwidth with a higher contention ratio) or increases performance (more expensive bandwidth).

Their decisions have a big impact on the service you receive but your point to point link from house to cabinet (then backhaul to network) hasn't changed one bit.

[bogan]

That's a complex question. It depends on the provider, whether you're connecting to a server they actually host, or going somewhere else. If you're going somewhere else, it depends on their links to their peers, how the data is cached or routed etc. This can also change over time, as a provider seeks to reduce costs (buying cheaper bandwidth with a higher contention ratio) or increases performance (more expensive bandwidth).

Their decisions have a big impact on the service you receive but your point to point link from house to cabinet (then backhaul to network) hasn't changed one bit.

So better to go with a provider getting good reviews (specifically locally, or countrywide?) with adsl2, than expect a better service from vdsl?

[Gremlin]

So better to go with a provider getting good reviews (specifically locally, or countrywide?) with adsl2, than expect a better service from vdsl?

Being business orientated cost is small consideration with performance ranking far higher, also not up with gaming demands etc. Gaming certainly has an upload component, but I have no idea how much data...

Ultimately, yes, you'd want low latency as the packets are far more time sensitive vs an email, so yes, good local reviews. If the provider hosts the servers you'd be using then yes, you could expect good results. Point of Presence is another factor, ie, if you have a Wellington provider, traffic from your home would go to Wellington before Auckland (if you tried to get to Auckland)... we've had some interesting headaches around that with VOIP.

Buying a faster line likely removes one link from the equation, but treat your connection to the servers as a chain with a series of links. It could be any of those links that's causing the slower service.

edit: VDSL isn't an option for smokeu