Congested ADSL Exchange - what to do?

team teri on 29/03/2014 - 19:17

For the last month ADSL download speeds have been abysmally slow much of the time. Worst speeds are in the mornings, evenings, weekends. As little as 2 Bps, yes, that's 2 bytes, no k or M there.

Sync speeds are fine, about 6 to 7Mbit/s - given the distance to the exchange that is as expected. Finally, after several complaints to my ISP and ruling out all other possible reasons Telstra admitted that the exchange is congested. They don't have an ETA or any plan to fix it.

Our local exchange has Telstra hardware only, so all I can choose between for ADSL is them directly or through various resellers. From what I read the best I could hope for if I keep complaining is an offer to exit the contract without early termination fees.

Has anyone been in the same situation and found a good solution? NBN was scheduled to start construction here a month ago, but alas, no more, thanks to our friend Tony…

3G could be an option. When things get very bad I sometimes tether and speeds certainly are much more reliable. But the cheapest I found is $120 for 15GB on Optus. Any lower $/GB anywhere?

Internet

Comments

  • c64 on 29/03/2014 - 19:32

    adsl is out. what about telsta/optus cable? if that is out then mobile broadband is has to be.

  • dmc900 on 29/03/2014 - 21:43

    Try Bendigo Bank Telco, $80 a month for 20gb no contract.
    https://www.bendigobanktelco.com.au/MainPage.aspx?service=MB

    Best deal I could find.
    $60/mth - 15gb
    $40/mth - 10gb

    They use Optus infrastructure.

    • Morien on 30/03/2014 - 01:37

      Same as iinet by the looks.

      • team teri on 30/03/2014 - 12:30

        Wow, thanks for pointing out iinet - I had checked their website before but failed to notice the plans hidden in the 4G tab (the 3G tab only has quite low GB). They are better value than Bendigo, they include the hardware, Bendigo is $10 extra.

        Now, unfortunately no 4G here either - all neighbouring suburbs have it. But I assume a 4G plan would just work on 3G if no 4G is available. Will check that out next week, then off to negotiate early termination of the ADSL contract. :-)

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