nbn FTTN Internet Issue - Need Help/Advise

Hi there, I would be grateful if someone who knows this better than me can help me out.

I used to have a Belong connection and have been with them for over 5 years with no issues to stream continuously on 6 devices albeit taking extra time to download larger files (however there were no issues in streaming/buffering). The 2 reasons why I changed was,
A -> I wanted to speed up the download speed for my larger files,
B -> Take advantage of the onboarding new customer discount.

My data needs are quite high: Every day, I will need at least 200-300 gb of data and will have 6 devices streaming youtube, Netflix etc. during the evening peak hours.

The property is located in SE Qld and is a FTTN and have 3 SSID’s.

The router/modem which I was previously using (and even now) is a Belong NBN modem which Belong gave me plus a Tenda Nova mw3 (don’t use it now).
I was not sure whether the modem was locked in to Belong when I switched providers so I bought an expensive (yes, as a true ozbargainer for half the price) TP-LINK Deco X73-DSL AX5400 VDSL Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System and wanted to set it up with the new connection.

I chose to go with Superloop and chose their fastest speed on offer which was 100/40 .

The deco came in a flashy big box and I tried to set it up using every possible method (with the splitter/without the splitter etc) but it didn’t work off the wall as it was meant to be. I am still not sure whether it can be connected straight to the wall using the dsl port or it should be connected to the Belong modem!

After I failed to connect the Tp Link deco unit to the wall, I tried my old Belong router/modem to check whether it works or not. To my surprise it worked beautifully. Got reasonable speeds like 60 and 70 mbps etc.

Then I tried connecting my Deco unit to one of the LAN ports and Bingo! I was able to connect it straightaway and it started to work.

Then peak hours came, my problem started!

I was never getting the advertised speed and got an email from superloop that I am paying more and they suggested to take the 50/20 option (which I did) and services went downhill right from there. To my dismay we couldn’t even use 3 phones streaming at the same time let alone 4k and HD downloads!

Belong connection which I had was a mid-range option ( sorry don’t remember the exact speed but not 100/20 or 100/40) and not the cheapest and definitely not the most expensive one.

After a month of frustration, I gave them the boot and joined Spintel (100/20) after seeing their recent blackfriday deal in ozb thinking that it would help but I am back with the same problem!

It is so frustrating that I cannot even use 3-4 devices and it just stops and won’t even buffer!

Speeds in the daytime are good but not great.

Spintel suggested a tech but apparently it wont be free if the problem is due to a hardware issue etc. etc.

If there is a problem in the NBN copper cable how come I get 60 mbps at different times in the day and 3mbps at night? It appears that this is a hardware issue or perhaps a router issue? I am not sure exactly what to do now? 5G is not an option for me ☹

I hope I have provided enough information so that the tech heroes here have an idea of the whole scenario rather than back and forth questions.

I am sorry for the long post but I greatly appreciate if someone can advise me about what my next steps should be?

Thank you for your time 😊

Comments

  • +2

    Not used Superloop before but was when I was with Mate my DL speeds were gimped during peak hours (even though speedtests to aussie servers came back with advertised speeds). Switched back to AussieBB and issue disappeared.

    • Thanks for the suggestion mate. That’s my next resort. I am really frustrated and tired :(

  • +4

    You can use this website to see if you're eligible for a fiber to the home upgrade
    https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/fttp-upgrade-w…

    For more info, see Twix's deal post.

    • Thanks scrimshaw for your advice. I have seen your other comments in other internet posts and they are very informative. Many thanks :)

  • +1

    Use the belong modem as just the modem, but bridge it so the mesh system operates the wifi only?

    How are speeds on the mesh network for local file transfers etc?

    • Thanks for your time spackbace :) Haven’t tested the Tenda Nova yet as I thought this TP link deco with wifi 6 is next Gen. But the deco unit is also the same 3, 4 mbps during night time. I am still not sure why the deco cannot be connected to wall with the dsl cable! I should be able to connect it that way right?

      • +1

        Yeah the tp-link you have is a modem/router, so works for both

        • Hmm, thanks for confirming mate. I am not sure how to make it work directly off the wall so that, I can test it that way! Belong modem connects straightaway when plugged in!

          • +2

            @Ohreally: I will give you Deco setup instructions shortly.

            • +1

              @Twix: Many thanks Twix :) Much appreciated

  • +1

    Do you have concrete walls?

    How far between nodes. How fast when plugged in to computer directly?

    • Nope no concrete walls only gyprock. Tbh, I haven’t tested it as most of my work is in the media room and the modem is near the hallway. I am reliant on wifi. If it makes it better I wouldn't mind an ugly cable running to the room :)

  • +1

    The included DSL splitter in the TP-Link box is for ADSL 2. Don't use the DSL splitter on FTTN.

    1. Disconnect the Belong modem.
    2. Wait at least 30 minutes (don't skip this step or else the Deco won't connect).
    3. Press the reset button underneath the Deco for a couple seconds.
    4. Plug in the RJ11 cable to the Deco DSL port and plug in the other end to the wall.
    5. During the Deco app installation put the internet type as PPPoE and enter your SpinTel username and password given to you by email.

    In regards to slower peak time speeds that can be from ISP congestion.

    Have you checked if you can get FTTP?

  • +1

    Thanks mate. Started the process and waiting . Thanks for the instructions. Hope it connects 🤞will keep you informed.
    By the way, If I go on the nbn website and view the list of FTTN areas that have been announced so far, it does include my suburb, announced in 2021 but it says that I am not eligible when I type my address 🤔

    • Next year for locations announced in 2021. Put your address into https://launtel.net.au/fibre-upgrade/ and it might give you a more accurate FTTP order date.

      • +1

        Thanks mate. By the way, did everything as per the steps, for some reason it (TP link deco) went to red after all the process :(
        Repeated the same by tweaking some settings, restarting, resetting etc. Still it didn’t work after many futile attempts !
        At the end after more than an hour, reconnected the belong modem, and connected the Deco unit and the Tenda nova mw6 mesh system to the belong modem.
        Now I have 4 SSID’s and this evening it worked as it’s meant to be.
        Couldn’t test my computer downloading big files due to personal situation and commitments. Regarding launtel- Did that earlier and got a response from the company already confirming the same what you said. Much appreciated :)

        • +2

          I found the TP Link to be quite easy to setup, however there is one setting that is not enabled by default. If I think of it, I'll amend this.

          • +1
            • +1

              @BewareOfThe Dog: Good pickup about SRA for the TP-Link.

              @Ohreally If you can be bothered follow the same steps again and turn on SRA.

              Advanced, Network, DSL Settings, enable SRA.

              If not you can keep the Belong modem (Wi-Fi off) and Tenda Nova for mesh Wi-Fi.

              • +1

                @Twix: Would be keen to try after sorting the kids! Will keep you both informed. Many thanks again :)

          • @BewareOfThe Dog: Thanks mate :) yes the process seem to be easier but for some reason (as you suggested?) I couldn’t get it to work! Will try and let you know the outcome here. Potentially, can help someone as well. Many thanks

          • @BewareOfThe Dog: With the TP-Link modems you need to make sure that all firmware is up to date so that it works with all the recommended and needed settings for NBN FTTN.

            • @[Deactivated]: Already updated.

              • @BewareOfThe Dog: All Good, so yeah SRA and a few other settings need to be enabled.
                ROC and SOS also needs to be enabled.
                Too many dam modem / router versions and acronyms.

  • +1

    Looks like you never called the RSP for support. As such you are on your own. First always call the RSP for support if you do not know how to trouble shoot network issues.

    • No I did, but ever since I told them about the fluctuating speeds they suggested that it’s unlikely to be an nbn issue and advised me about the potential added costs etc.

  • +1

    We were on FTTN with iinet, and FTTP just came to our area, so in the interim, I purchased an X73 like you, but just a single pack, to see how it went. I already had some AC1200 points for our security cameras. My Macbookwas geeting speeds of 80mb p/s vs 400 in the front room. I then upgraded the mesh to AX3000, so I now get anywhere between 200 to 400 mb/s, however I am plugged in via a USB with an RJ45 plugged into the Mesh Node.

    I did try using a Powerline, but I was only getting @ 120mb/s

    • Thanks again mate. Will do the needful and will let you guys know. Cheers

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