NBN and speed issues
In this short article, we discuss the NBN and speed issues problems so that you have an idea on how to improve your problem or what can be done about it. Speed test.
First questions first, is the problem with the NBN or with your chosen service provider?
It’s a long subject and depends on several inputs. Basically, NBN is responsible for the type of service they supply, for example, Fibre to the premises or the curb or in most cases the Node. If you are in the bush you have little option when wireless and Satellite are used.
The principle factor seems to be a distance if you are close to the source you get better speed.
As about 80% of us opt for 25Mbps speed on FTTN lets discuss that in more depth.
If you are more than about 600 meters from a node you will not achieve much more than 50 Mbps at best. Nothing that you can do about it it is a compromise the NBN made for faster delivery of high-speed internet.
Can you measure the distance to your local node? You can by pacing it out but that won’t work as the copper wires may go anywhere underground. Read more.
Most carriers will now advise you what is available when you sign with them, you then have an option of changing services to what is available.
Now for the carrier piece of the pie.
Basically, they, the Service providers buy from NBN a download quantity and how they split that up depends on the speeds you will achieve.
In many cases, you can pay extra for what they term a guaranteed evening speed. When the kids get home from school and plunder the network and it slows down.
When I signed to NBN at home it was almost a perfect services actually peaking at 25Mbps on one day, generally though about 23.5 or so.
Now NBN did a measure and I can’t achieve 20Mbps at any time of the day as the carrier controls the network.
Nothing I can do other than drop to a basic 12 Mbps, and like that is going to happen, not now I am used to a reasonable performance, 20 will do thanks very much.
Interestingly another carrier in the same area continues to deliver the 23+ speed, perhaps a bad choice based on price.
Modems and connections
Another consideration is a direct connection to the modem or WiFi. Sometimes the WiFi can be compromised on NBN and speed issues.
My server did not have an inbuilt modem so I bought an off the shelf Netcom USB plugin.
The result was ordinary as I am away from the NBN connection and downstairs through a concrete floor.
What to do? Re-cable the house at great expense. As fortune would have it I had a USB extender that I could add to the computer moving the USB about 6 inches made a 100% increase in signal, equal in fact to direct plugin. A lesson here for those that are in the same boat.
Some devices are inherently slow like my old Apple tablet. Runs at about 12Mbps at best.
So lets recap:
Connection type is NBN controlled and you are told what you get.Most have FTTN
Distance is NBN controlled and you get what they have and can’t work it out yourself.
You choose an available speed that suits you. (remember about 80% chose 25Mbps) This is still considered high speed.
The carrier chooses how many to load into a channel unless you want to pay the extra and have higher peak speed at a cost.
Consider modems and connections where there is a problem.
In conclusion, I say lay the blame where the problem lays, The federal government and choice of Network, the NBN and distance or the carriers for all the other bits.
Finally, consider the size and scope of what is being achieved in a timely and cost-effective manner. This to provide fast internet and Voice traffic to a country as big as Australia.
I am impressed. Look around your area at the actions being taken and expand that nationwide.
last, of all I have an Instagram site that looks at the NBN in a lighter vein.
In relation to phone systems read more here.
The author is Peter Hanley a long-term telecommunications survivor.
select@westnet.com.au
