Fixed Wireless Issues - Back to ADSL?

Having a bit of trouble with my parents fixed wireless nbn. It’s never worked well and has pretty consistent nbn drop outs / maintenance every week.

They told us we couldn’t go back to adsl but I’m wondering if that’s just what they say or if it’s true. The neighbours are still on adsl and get better speeds then us by far.

We are at a property west of Byron bay in the hills. I’m thinking of going to a 3G/4g modem if we can’t go back to adsl but reception is also not great here and I’m pretty sure we don’t have 4g yet…

What the heck are my options for good internet!!??

Comments

  • +1

    The dslams are being decommissioned as people move to nbn, and those that remain are often full, no spare ports.
    If it was me, I would seek to sort out your nbn.

    • Any suggestions on how to do that? I've fiddled with everything I know how to but the signal never gets to a green light on the NBN box. I haven't had a look at which direction the disc on the roof faces but I would have assumed they put it in the right direction…

      we are surrounded by hills so its not a great situation for wireless…

      • You pretty well need line of sight minus a few trees etc.

        Can you see the FW tower from the roof mounted receiver?

        • absolutely not.

          • @faulks2: You might need a mast. If you think you can get a clearer line of sight to the tower, that'll help heaps.

            Seems like the local tower might be near McLeods Shoot according to the map of the fixed wireless towers.

            So if you have a look at the distance and direction of the antenna on your parents' roof to the tower, that'll give you some indication of whether you can improve the signal.

            But yeah, if all else fails and you get a decent 4g signal, that'll probably be the go.

    • what is a NBN "node" ? is it a MSAN ?

  • -2

    I am wondering if I should swap to the other tower on the other side of the house, and if I do that.. do I need to reprogram the dish to pick up that tower? or assign it to it

    • I'm guessing it won't work technically but no harm trying

  • +1

    How much data do you need for a month at what speed? Do you get 4G on your phone ? if so, you can get a mobile broadband sim and use it on a 4G router. Theoretically you can go up to 42.2 Mbps with HSPA+ (3G) or higher with DC-HSPA+ if available, but impractical with congestion, signal quality etc.

    • 100+GB each month. We get 3G but poor never more than 3bars. I looked into boosters for reception but not sure what I’m looking at

  • +5

    You should be contacting your ISP to sort it out and if they don't, break your contract. Then either move to a better ISP or investigate 4G.. If they can't fix it, contact the TIO.
    (TIO should definitely be a last resort though as you would risk being moved to Satellite)
    No way should you be manipulating the antenna yourself, that's NBN's responsibility.

    • Yep, tried that. They said we could record the speed and if it dropped below 3mbps for 3 readings in a row they would report to nbn and they would deal with it.

      We have done that twice and no action apart from “maintenance is scheduled”

      • So have you proceeded to move ISP?
        Or trialled 4G coverage? 4G is a great option if you get decent signal.

        • No decent 4g but on the roof we get 3G. Have moved isp several times and every time same thing happens. They say it’s nbn fault.

  • +1

    If there is a spare port you can go back to ADSL in the NBN fixed wireless footprint. Get in touch with the folks @ BIRRR

  • Change to 4G mobile/home broadband, and you can easily switch provider if one's network signal is not good.

    • Thanks. I’ll have a look what’s about

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