Optus NBN in an Apartment

itschrisraymond on 12/02/2016 - 10:59
Last edited 12/02/2016 - 11:08 by 1 other user

Hello everyone,

I recently signed up for NBN with Optus and live in a apartment complex, after reading some of the reviews it turns out the modem supplied by Optus is actually pretty cheap and crap, which could be the cause of slow internet.

The technician who came to set up my internet said i should be on 100 mbps but with constantly checking the speed online, I'm only getting 35 mbps during the day and an incredibly slow 4 mbps during the evening.

Apparently changing the modem can fix this issue. I wanna know if anyone else thinks this is a good idea?
I'm new to the tech world and not sure what to do

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Comments

  • 2jzzzz on 12/02/2016 - 11:16

    I'm in the exact situation, but with Optus Cable. Any recommendations for me?

    • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2016 - 12:04

      See below :)

  • lupiter on 12/02/2016 - 11:20
    +1

    What kind of NBN do you have? Fiber to the premises or fiber to the node? Or wireless? I have fiber to the premises in an apartment, so I'll tell you how mine works.

    The 'modem' is owned by NBN Co, not Optus (or any other telco), and has a big NBN Co logo on the outside. It gives me an ethernet cable which goes into my router (not a modem) and that gives me wifi and more ethernet ports. That router is mine, not my telcos, my telco has no box in my apartment at all. It is possible that Optus gave you a "free" router with your contract, and that router (whether yours or a loaner) is rubbish. If that is the case, try plugging in a computer to the ethernet out of your NBN Co box directly, and run a speed test on that, you should see whatever top speed you paid for.

    However a rubbish router or modem should slow your speed uniformly. Slowdown in the evening sounds like congestion.

    If you have wifi and you don't have a custom password set your neighbours are probably stealing your wifi. That would slow it down :)

    • ESEMCE on 12/02/2016 - 11:41

      Definitely Optus being crap at night.
      Happens with Optus resellers and Optus themselves.
      Cancel your contract and go with an ISP that doesn't use Optus for Backhaul.

      OP are you connecting with WiFi?
      Gotta wonder at how crap Optus are if they sell you 100mbps internet but a router so terrible it can only do 35mbps.
      Is that even possible these days?

      • Thrawn on 13/02/2016 - 00:39

        Its usually more the Wifi than the routing capacity.

    • itschrisraymond on 14/02/2016 - 09:38

      I'm on FTTP but run my connects wirelessly as I don't own desktop computer.

      I've looked into other modems such the netgear nighthawk and thinking of switching modems

  • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2016 - 11:58
    +3

    As mentioned about, what type of NBN do you have? FTTP or FTTN? FTTP will mean there is a NBNCo box on the outside of the building plus one inside the house, possibly with a UPS attached depending on what you purchased.

    The advice below relates to having an FFTP connection. I've personally got FTTP so I can't let you know how they wire up FTTN as it changes on each premise.

    Let's clear a few things up:
    NTU - network termination unit: it's one of the pieces of hardware in the NBNCo box: turns the fibre into 1 or more RJ45 ethernet plugs plus has the VOIP connections. Owned by NBNCo for consumer FTTP connections.

    Router - Routes traffic, wired devices connected. Consumer grade routers usually have a WAP. Will be provided by Optus unless you requested not to have one. Will plug into the NBNCo box on the wall.

    WAP - wirelessa access point: gives you wireless (WiFi). Can be built into the router or stand alone. Built into default Optus router.

    Modem - used to convert RJ45 ethernet for local network into COAX (HFC) or ADSL (phone line). NOT USED FOR FTTP.

    The speed issue you're having can come from 1 of 3 issues.

    1 - Issue: How are you connected to your router? If you're connected via wireless then you may just have signal issues in the appartment.
    1 - Cause: Signal interfearence from other devices on the 2.4Ghz bandwith. 2.4Ghz bandwith crowding is also an issue in appartments as there is a limited number of radio channels for access points to run .
    1 - Fix: Look at upgrading to a router with a better access point installed and that supports 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi. Most devices support both these days as 5Ghz has more channels and less interfearence from other devices (microwaves, baby monitors, doorbells)

    2 - Issue: Contention on the network
    2 - Cause: Overcrowding on your local node from Optus.
    2 - Fix: switch ISP. I highly suggest looking at Skymesh or Internode. I am personally switching to Skymesh when they become availible in my area as they are the only ISP to offer 100/100 to consumers on NBN. To terminate the contract without paying a termination fee, contact optus, compain, contact the TCO, complain. Optus resoltuion team will then contact you asking what you'd like to do.

    3 - Poor router quality.
    3 - Cause: Caused by a poor quality router not being able to handle the connections.
    3 - Fix: This is unlikely unless you're high volume power user. Fix is getting a business or enterprise grade router and seperate access points. Cost starts $600.

    Hope this helps.

    Source: currently completing Cisco CCNA & Ubiquiti UBRSS/UEWA. DCNA Cert.

    • ESEMCE on 12/02/2016 - 12:08

      Modem also used to convert RJ45 into VDSL (phone line) for FttN NBN connections which have started to come live ove rthe past few months

      • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2016 - 12:10

        Thought they were doing that - only played around with FTTP and then business/enterprise fiber which is mostly FTTP complicated by large VOIP.

        • ESEMCE on 12/02/2016 - 12:29

          My node is set to go live in the next few months.

          I'm a good ~500m away, so I'm not expecting the full 100/40.. Means I'll probably end up buying a 50/20 plan, cause screw them if they think I'm going to pay for 100/40 but only get 80/30 at best and in peak times drop to 30/10 or lower!

        • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2016 - 12:45

          @scubacoles: Yeah that's why I'm bailing off Optus. Pay for 100/40, get 50/20 durring peak. I've heard great things about SkyMesh + they're aussie only. Best bit is the 100/100 plan is the same as what I'm paying now.

        • ESEMCE on 12/02/2016 - 13:26

          @windspeed36:
          It's a no brainer then!
          I'll likely also end up on Skymesh. Their data allowances are tight, but will be OK for me in the medium term and the fact that the others with more "generous" allowances have customers reporting problems indicates to me that they're cheaping out on the contention ratio (plus I'm worried that Internode will eventually be sucked down into TPG's network).

    • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2016 - 12:15

      Also to clarrify:

      FTTP: fibre to the premise - fibre cable is run from node to the house/appartment.
      FTTN: fibre to the local street node/building (appartment) - copper lines then to the individual rooms/houses
      WISP: wireless internet via satelite/4G LTE.

      • CLoSeR on 12/02/2016 - 21:07

        You missed one, in an apartment he would be most likely using FTTB (Fibre to the Basement) I just applied for FTTB NBN myself.

        • ESEMCE on 13/02/2016 - 09:40

          FttB is essentially FttN where the node is in the basement instead of on the street.

        • CLoSeR on 13/02/2016 - 09:56
          +1

          @scubacoles: Yep I understand that, however FTTB is a term being used frequently by NBNco and ISP's so it's important it is seen as a different product.

  • jellykingdom on 12/02/2016 - 13:44

    My friend's have optus NBN, and are still waiting for it to be properly connected (been going for 2-3months). Some disagreement between optus and NBNCo

  • Randxyz123 on 12/02/2016 - 19:28

    Firstly are you connecting wired or wirelessly?

    If you are using wireless try using wired and see if that fixes the issue. If not try and push optus to send you out a new modem as sometimes that can help.

    I'm only getting 35 mbps during the day and an incredibly slow 4 mbps during the evening.

    Wow. I'd be on the phone to them telling them to do something about that.

    You are paying for a service after all. 35 mbps is kinda acceptable 4 mbps absolutely isn't.

    • itschrisraymond on 14/02/2016 - 09:33

      They said its server issue, not sure how believable that is

  • CLoSeR on 12/02/2016 - 21:09

    The problem probably isn't the modem and rather it's the known contention issues Optus is experiencing.

    Take a look at the Optus Section on Whirlpool.

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/15

  • itschrisraymond on 14/02/2016 - 09:33

    After being on the phone to Optus, it turns out there is a "server" issue in my area and it's getting fixed. Although no outages or reports on the website. Gonna give it another week and it no improvement, I'm going to ask to cancel. Paying $115 a month for slow internet is ridic!

    • ESEMCE on 14/02/2016 - 11:42
      +1

      "Server issue" sounds like a complete fob off.
      It's Optus cheaping out on CVC almost undoubtedly.

      • itschrisraymond on 14/02/2016 - 12:19

        My thoughts exactly. I did a few test runs with internode and have got surprisingly good results

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