Which nbn Provider Is The Best for FTTC Technology?

rohitroygre on 07/01/2022 - 10:33

I live in Wyndham Vale VIC 3024. I signed up for a NBN provider (FTTC) 50MBPS line for 6 months contract and after I received their modem, the biggest issue I found was that their modem wasn't strong enough to emit signals to the back of my property. So I bought a mesh system and it is all good for now. I also faced few drop-outs in last 6 months and am not happy with the service at all. I will be out of 6 months contract soon and I am looking to move to any other NBN provider with better service.

Who do you think is the better (or best) provider of NBN FTTC service? My main requirements are:
1. Their modem should be strong so that no mesh system is required.
2. Their connection quality should be good. May be less drop-outs or connection errors.
3. I don't mind paying more but I need quality. 50 MBPS speed is good enough for me.
4. I prefer "no contract" and I do understand that I might have to buy my own modem for that.

Thank you.

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • GordonD on 07/01/2022 - 10:47

    When you say "service" do you mean customer service or how well the NBN service itself works? I ask this because the RSP only provides customer service and the modem, if you've chosen to get the one they provide. The NBN connection is provided by NBN, and its the same irrespective of what RSP you choose to purchase it through. They are just the retailer, swapping to another RSP won't improve that. Its like switching to another electricity retailer. Its the same electricity through the same wires from the same generator. Only the price and the customer service changes.

    • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 12:29
      +1

      There is more to it than the ISPs customer service and the modem. ISPs have to manage the speeds, amount of CVC, fibre backhaul, who ISPs peer with, where the ISP has POPs and so on. Speeds and ping times can vary over the same connection and with different ISPs.

    • Chandler on 07/01/2022 - 12:32
      +1

      The NBN connection is provided by NBN, and its the same irrespective of what RSP you choose to purchase it through. They are just the retailer, swapping to another RSP won't improve that. Its like switching to another electricity retailer. Its the same electricity through the same wires from the same generator. Only the price and the customer service changes.

      Not quite.

      NBN is the connection from your house back to the NBN Point of Interconnection (POI; your closest "major" exchange). From there, it will travel along your RSPs network to the closest point in their network to whoever your're trying to connect to (Google, Facebook, Netflix) or the Content Delivery Network (CDN) providers (i.e. Cloudflare) for those services. If your RSP doesn't have a direct connection to Google, Cloudflare, etc, then they will then need to transit someone elses network. Internect connectivity is split into 3 main tiers. Tier 1 providers can connect to anywhere on the internet without paying someone else. Tier 2 providers can connect to a lot, but need to do so via other provider's networks (either through peering with other Tier 2's or paying a Tier 2 or Tier 1). Tier 3 providers only connect by paying someone else.

      In Australia, Telstra is the only "Tier 1" provider; airquotes as it is not quite a Tier 1: they pay for some transit via Telia Carrier and Zayo Group (according to the Tier 1 Wikipedia article ). Larger RSPs (Optus, Vodafone, TPG, Superloop) are likely Tier 2. Smaller RSPs are likely Tier 3. i.e. Aussie Broadband pays Telstra Wholesale for a lot of it's connectivity, even within Australia; whereas Superloop has it's own fibre backhauls throughout Australia and some overseas, as does TPG and thus neither of those two need to pay anyone for traffic over those networks, as they are theirs.

      So long story short, RSP does matter in regards to quality of service. Higher tier RSPs will likely see better ping times etc as they're not using other people's networks (assuming the RSP's network equipment isn't sub-par). You will also likely see better bandwidth provisions and/or lower costs; although there is a sweet spot in regards to all this, as demonstrated with Telstra: they've got one of the best networks in Australia, but by god do they charge for it!

  • AndyC1 on 07/01/2022 - 10:50
    +3

    Looks like you do not understand how the NBN works.

    With FTTC you can buy any router, see:
    https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/network-technology/fibre-to-t…

    The connnection quality is made up of two parts:
    1) The NBN network, which is what you connect to
    2) The backhaul from the NBN POP to the actual internet, which is the RSP.

    For drop outs in 99% of cases this would be the modem or the NBN network, not the RSP. So even if you move this will NOT be resolved.

    As for which provider as you are not that technical I would look at Aussie BB.

  • apple2016 on 07/01/2022 - 11:09
    1. Their modem should be strong so that no mesh system is required.

    Most providers modem will be very basic. Invest in a good modem and use it regardless of the provider.

    1. Their connection quality should be good. May be less drop-outs or connection errors.

    This issue is usually with NBN network. This most likely might continue with all providers.

    1. I don't mind paying more but I need quality. 50 MBPS speed is good enough for me.

    Unless you pay to get an upgrade to FTTP the speeds are not going to improve with FTTC

    • AndyC1 on 07/01/2022 - 11:14
      +1

      OP is okay on 50MBPS. You can get 100 MBPS on FTTC.

    • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 12:17

      Invest in a good router. nbn give you the VDSL2 modem for FTTC connections.

      Optional FTTC to FTTP upgrades are meant to start Q2 2022.

      • serpserpserp on 07/01/2022 - 12:34

        They have started a long time ago. However they cost an arm and a leg to complete.

        • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 12:40

          I'm not talking about paying nbn a lump sum of $2000-$10,000 to go from FTTC to FTTP. These FTTC to FTTP changes will be done through participating ISPs by ordering 250/25 or Gigabit.

      • AndyC1 on 07/01/2022 - 14:18

        NBN FTTC does not use VDSL2. NBN supply a NBN connection box aka modem or demodulator.
        https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/network-technology/fibre-to-t…

        NBN FTTN uses VDSL2. N not C or P

        • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 15:10

          FTTC, FTTN and FTTB all use VDSL. FTTP uses GPON. The provided nbn connection box (NetComm NCD) used in FTTC is a VDSL modem.

          NetComm's NCD incorporates a G.fast and VDSL modem and is able to monitor and report diagnostics on the performance of the line going into a premises, and includes a reverse-power feed allowing the DPU to be powered via the customer's premises.

          https://www.zdnet.com/article/nokia-deploys-software-defined…

          "The NCD closes that loop."

          Building in reverse power capabilities and the VDSL/G.fast modem makes FttC easily deliverable to the home in an "all-in-one product", he explained.

          https://www.zdnet.com/article/netcomm-wireless-unveils-fttc-…

  • avoidfullprice on 07/01/2022 - 11:25

    Your single modem poor reception issue might be compounded by your modem placement (not central around the house) and wall material (wifi attentuation).

    With FTTC, your are also at the mercy of the backbone quality, which your RSP has no control over.

    In terms of RSP not over subscribing and therefore higher chance of your satisfaction, AussieBroadBand and Superloop are good.

    • AndyC1 on 07/01/2022 - 11:44
      +2

      OP will not know what "over subscribing" or even what CVC is…..

  • justgooddeals on 07/01/2022 - 12:05

    It’s unclear but you appear to be unhappy with your mesh system? In that case -the best thing you can do is invest in good modem/router not provided by any ISP.

    Most isp supplied models are crap

  • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 12:07

    The nbn NCD is a VDSL2 modem and you don't use another modem. The mesh system has a router which is what you need. If you need to use a mesh system to have Wi-Fi throughout the premises so be it. What mesh system did you purchase and how many? Is the router from the new mesh system plugged into the nbn NCD?

    Do you have more than one phone point inside? Who is your current ISP?

  • chrisd262 on 07/01/2022 - 13:02

    Aussie is excellent

    I use a mesh system excellent for brick walls

    • netjock on 07/01/2022 - 13:09

      So tin foil hats still effective?

  • netjock on 07/01/2022 - 13:11

    Test out a different modem first.

    Also tell us who the provider is, no point us suggesting the same provider you already have.

    I use Southern 12sq single story house (yeah I am a real ozBargainer), got Netcomm MESH modem placed in back third. Covers the whole house.

  • chrisd262 on 07/01/2022 - 19:58

    Aussie is excellent

    I use a mesh system excellent for brick walls

  • rohitroygre on 10/01/2022 - 10:42

    Thank you everyone :)

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