My rant to Telecom (xtra)

**GR81** · 12th January 2007, 10:04

it's not the provider with the unleashed thing, its telecoms network.

altho moving away from xtra in large droves isnt a bad idea haha

**pervert** · 12th January 2007, 10:23

I've got the same issue. Used to be great on the Adventure 10G plan, but now I'm on 'Go Large' I get crappy speeds and an unreliable connection (although a restart of the modem usually brings it right again).

Rather than change plans or complain (that didn't get me far). I've decided to rape the connection for all it's worth and see what they say.

I found no download's were going over 30 - 35 kb/s, and my .torrent software wasn't working at all, so I switched to utorrent (encyrypted) and now it gets 30kb/s max. I now leave torrents running at 30kb/s all day, Limewire at 50 - 60kb/s all day, and download all I can.

I found a good bit of software (Fresh Download) that makes 8 connections to a download, and download's in sections rather than from start to finish. A file downloaded through IE that sits on 30kb/s, will get 160 + kb/s through Fresh Download...so I'm using that to download all the 700mb DivX's I can find online.

My month's use started on the 6th, it's now the 12th and I have managed 26 gig of traffic use on their meters. Haha I'm going to see if I can pull a 100 gig month...

**kro** · 12th January 2007, 11:16

Good move Pervert, I like the idea of that Fresh Download program, it sort of sounds like a reverse version of a raid array.

**Lias** · 12th January 2007, 11:24

Originally Posted by Fish

I'd be happy if Xtra DNS just start working at least 99% of the time. It's gotten flaky to the point of major frustration over the last couple of months. I can never guess whether a hostname is going to be 'not found'. I've had to issue general instructions to the family that if at first DNS won't talk, just query again...

I have the exact same problem with our Xtra connections in Auckland and Dargaville, so I don't think it's anything to do with my modems or local [whatever].

I'm seriously considering switching to another provider.

I second the whole FUBAR'd DNS. Its been fucking rediculous at times.

**kro** · 12th January 2007, 11:30

From memory, there are radiation therapy workers out on strike at present. This is typically how people have tried to force change thru history, by making their collective voices heard, be it by Union, or just random protest, or such like.

What would happen if all NZers using XTRA suddenly said "thats it you bastards, we want our moneys worth". Often the only way to get a decent hearing, is to tackle it en masse.

NZers just seem so damn willing to take mediocrity lying down. They get a bad meal at a restaurant, and don't ask the waiter to have it made again. They sit down, and let it happen to them, which is precisely what Telecom count on imo.

**Wasp** · 12th January 2007, 11:59

Originally Posted by pervert

I found a good bit of software (Fresh Download)

been using that on and off for many years now (3-4+?), great program.

**jrandom** · 12th January 2007, 12:26

I'm on hold right now, waiting for Xtra Technical Support so that I can (finally) log the DNS issue.

If I don't get a useful resolution within a few days, I'm changing ADSL providers. A random sampling of a single colleague sitting at the desk next to me who uses ihug at home tells me that other service providers don't have flaky DNS.

**GR81** · 12th January 2007, 12:50

i rekon we all RIOT and break stuff!
maybe i just wanna reason to break stuff? *shrug*

**jrandom** · 12th January 2007, 13:04

I've logged my issue with Xtra and been assured that it's going straight up the chain to Somebody Important.

At least the call-center guy had the good sense not to push it after I told him not to even think about trying to tell me the problem was at my end.

I'm not usually such a cunt to people, but in this case, I'm just sick of things not working.

Heck, I'll be really glad if somehow I end up with egg on my face, here, just so long as something starts fucking working!

But I don't think I'm going to be the one getting egged.

**Spuds1234** · 12th January 2007, 13:14

Why not just use a different DNS server? With my modem, it will either choose to use the one that the isp says to use, or I can enter in my own dns addresses.

You might want to check whether your modem can do this. Saves the hassle of no internet for a week or two.

**riffer** · 12th January 2007, 13:15

Strange. Some of us are still doing okay. We use Telecom out of Welly, so maybe its the residential lines that are useless. Ours is a corporate line.

Oh, did I mention I work for their advertising agency? Maybe there's something in that?

**riffer** · 12th January 2007, 13:19

However, doing further tests, here's the resutls to Australia and USA.

Perhaps the problem lies in the Southern Cross cable?

**pervert** · 12th January 2007, 13:27

Originally Posted by riffer

Strange. Some of us are still doing okay. We use Telecom out of Welly, so maybe its the residential lines that are useless. Ours is a corporate line.

Oh, did I mention I work for their advertising agency? Maybe there's something in that?

It is also worth testing to an overseas area such as the US. That gives a more accurate speed test as MOST PEOPLES downloaded data doesn't come from within NZ.

I can get 450kb/s easily for an Auckland test at www.speedtest.net , but a test to the US or similar gives less than 50kb/s usually.

Edit...I see you have done that, note the massive decrease is speed. I don't care how fast I can download from NZ sites, I want fast speeds to overseas like I used to!

**jrandom** · 12th January 2007, 13:36

Originally Posted by Spuds1234

Why not just use a different DNS server? With my modem, it will either choose to use the one that the isp says to use, or I can enter in my own dns addresses.

Yes, of course. That's what the helpful helpdesk dude suggested.

My point is that I do not want to have to fuck about entering the IP address of a third-party DNS server. I pay money every month to plug my router in and get my intarwebs fix. I will not settle for having to implement workarounds, particularly not when things were working fine a couple of months back.

Also, I have a sneaking suspicion that my modem (Netgear DG834G) doesn't allow user-entered DNS server addresses.

If you had a car with broken air conditioning, and the workshop dude told you to just wind the window down, would you be satisfied?