TPG ADSL2+ Slo-Mo00ooo Speed! Should I Change ISP?

LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 18:31
Last edited 04/04/2016 - 21:30

Had a great day yesterday downloading at (actual) speed of 1mbps (based on my IDM download speed average) thanks to Telstra, I woke up to pedestrian everyday TPG speed of ("so-called" speedtest.net) 2.35mbps speed or IDM (internet download manager) measured download speed of 400kbps.

So … called TPG tech and was told 2.35mbps (even though its not my actual IDM download speed) is pretty standard for my location which is 6.5km away from the exchange. In short - to suck it up.

My question: Does changing ISP to actually allows for faster speed access? I asked this question to the operator and he said it wont make a difference as the exchange is actually's Telstra and even if I were to churn to Telstra, speed will not differ.

Sadly … NBN and Cable is not an option, and after experiencing Telstra's mobile broadband, life just isnt the same anymore. Even my Optus mobile broadband (slower than's Telstra) beats TPG crap anytime of the day.

TIA (thanks in advance)

—- edit

No my location doesnt allow for Cable nor NBN, and I dont live in places that are considered "rural". <— I realised I actually did cover this one my first post.

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Comments

  • kathmandu-jeff on 04/04/2016 - 18:44
    +2

    Does you internet speed slow down only during peak times or is it constantly at that speed? If it only slows down during peak times then changing ISP may be beneficial. However on the other hand if you constantly get that speed then changing will most likely not make a difference as you are a fair distance away from the exchange.

    • LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 18:50

      its constant; day and night time

      arghhh … was aiming for the Optus $90+ unlimited home broadband =(

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 21:22

        It'd make a difference if you can get optus cable, but if you can only get adsl(2+) then don't bother.

  • oscargamer on 04/04/2016 - 19:08
    -1

    what download are you paying for? and are you getting that speed?

    if not, you are being duped

    • LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 19:10

      ermm .. not sure if I understand what you meant by "what download are you paying for"? TPG ADSL2+ is the plan that I'm on; bundled with home phone for $59.90 p/m.

      • oscargamer on 04/04/2016 - 19:36

        my point precisely

        you don't know what you are paying for, so how can you complain it's crap ???

        phone them and ask……………..

        • LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 19:41

          school holidays finishing up =)

    • Morien on 04/04/2016 - 20:31
      +7

      Sorry mate, in any other case you'd be spot on the money, but that isn't how ADSL2+ works, nor is it how it is sold… ever.

      Speeds are never guaranteed for ADSL, hence the "up to…". That is why you buy plans by data allowance. You are paying for 100GB, 300GB, etc. NOT speed. Speed depends on factors outside of the control of the ISP. Factors such as line length, line quality, and so on. Your ISP can lodge a fault to get restoration of a phone line from the infrastructure holder, but with Australia how it is (internet is not considered an essential service) you are not entitled to anything more than a copper cable that provides phone access. (So if your line is too shit for internet but the phone works, the infrastructure holder's job is satisfied.) Furthermore, if there isn't anything actually wrong with the line, and you lodge a fault because you feel like it, look forward to that Incorrect Callout Fee levied by the wholesaler (again, not the ISP).

      Too many people think that the ISP has more control than they actually do.

      OP, I am shocked that you have ADSL of ANY kind at a line length of 6.5km. Your choices for faster connection speed are:
      1) Cable (HFC) if your area supports it
      2) NBN (if your area supports it)
      3) Mobile Broadband (if your area, needs, and wallet supports it)

      Otherwise, the only way to substantially increase your ADSL speed is to move to a house with a line closer to an exchange. :S

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 20:57
        +2

        Just posting to say…this is spot on.

        Bad luck OP

    • PVA on 04/04/2016 - 21:30

      no plans will give you speeds - they will all say something like upto 20mb/s or Max spped, not 20mb/s
      that is for nbn, cable and adsl. no one will guarantee a speed.

  • mskeggs on 04/04/2016 - 20:02
    +1

    You could try posting at Whirlpool where there are plenty of people with the tech skills to diagnose if there is anything wrong with your connection. That said, 6km is a very long cable run, and you might not see any improvement with other ISPs.
    There are two elements, sync speed, which is the max speed possible with your infrastructure, and bandwidth, the ability of your ISP to provide data up to your links capacity.
    It looks like your sync speed is low due to the distance from the exchange, so swapping ISPs might not make any difference.
    Try whirlpool to be sure, but be prepared to spend some hours trying different settings and posting info. If you can't/won't try what they tell you they get a bit snarky ( fair enough for free tech support!).

  • Cave Fire on 04/04/2016 - 20:39

    Pretty sure there is a minnium speed the ISP has to provide. 400kb/s seems below adsl2+ standards.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 21:02
      +1

      There is, it's generally 1.5mbps.

      That works out at about 180kb/s.

      So they are doing well.

      • LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 21:21

        Interestingly when you posted this comment, I searched tpg site and they published the below spill:

        "Optimal ADSL2+ speeds require compatible ADSL2+ modem and filters. More than 50% of TPG's ADSL2+ customers obtain connection speeds exceeding 10Mbps. Actual speeds will vary due to many factors including distance from the local telephone exchange, the quality of the customer's copper phone line, cabling and equipment."

        I am interested in knowing where the stats are derived from; for a knowledge point of view.

        Also, looking at this article (http://www.smh.com.au/technology/innovation/a-nonsensational…), we are living in a pretty slow connected part of the world here.

  • PVA on 04/04/2016 - 21:32

    that distance from the exchange the speed you are getting will be all ISPs.
    try the whirlpool forums and someone may help you with more details.

  • LurvinOZB on 04/04/2016 - 21:37
    +2

    seems like my question got answered — in a generally agreed consensus view that the exchange distance plays a decisive role on how fast the speed can get to (assuming the copper line is in satisfactory condition).

    • Case closed, thanks all =)
  • alxr0101 on 05/04/2016 - 08:35

    Adding that the best you can do to improve performance (given the long line) is to maximise sync speed of the modem.

    A number of options but don't expect significant improvement…you will still be faced with the inherent technical limitations of ADSL and distance from the exchange:-

    1. remove as many devices from your phone line as possible. Every extra device (phone, fax, etc..each with an ADSL line filter..required for every device except the modem) further burdens the line.

    Cordless phones are great as can have just one base station connected and several handsets only talk to the base station.

    1. If you have NO other devices than the modem…dont use ANY line filters at all.. unplug anything unnecessary.

    2. GET A MODEM that is better suited to long and/or difficult phone lines.. This usually means a BROADCOM chipset based modem.

    Again…dont expect a doubling of speed but it may provide an extra 10-20% sync speed and therefore better effective speeds.

    Broadcom-based such as TPLINK Archer D7 …great wireless and also a grunty processor to handle not only external connections but internal LAN file transfers.

  • skillet on 05/04/2016 - 09:20

    6.5KM is on the extreme end even for ADSL. you won't be on ADSL+ you be on ADSL.

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