BitCo Consumer Review

[moosag]

I've left my unotelly dns settings on my E900 but whether they are there or not I don't think it makes a difference.

Your roku will use your new router and wifi to
1) get a new IP from the E900 (via DCHP)
2) route all internet traffic through the E900 (Gateway = 192.168.1.1)
3) But use the "new router (192.168.1.2)" DNS entries instead of the E900 DNS entries

I find this to work quite effectively. and from my "limited" testing I can confirm that all traffic through the second router does not go via the public dns and the roku/netflix works like a charm.

 

[Murmaider]

Garth,

I have a question regarding the FUP.

I've been doing some tests and even if I only utilize 1/3 of my 5mb speed I still hit get dropped to 2mb.
It seems that just simply using the internet for an hour, no matter what you do you get dropped to 2mb.

I don't understand this, surely if a person is "abusing" their 5mb connection by say downloading tons of torrents or "linux iso's" then the FUP should kick. But I don't understand why just simply using the connection for what it's advertised for (Streaming, Gaming, Browsing) gets your FUP'd?

I ask because I feel like I'm actually paying R855 p/m for a 2mb connection since my connection is always at 2mb. I in no way abuse the connection and I don't understand why using more then 1/3 the speed you paying for gets you FUP'd.

 

[Sparky_za]

I have not noticed that at all. My normal usage during the day never drops me to 2Mbps. And that is watching Hulu, Lync conference calls, emails and remote desktop control.

 

[prasanv]

Garth,

I have a question regarding the FUP.

I've been doing some tests and even if I only utilize 1/3 of my 5mb speed I still hit get dropped to 2mb.
It seems that just simply using the internet for an hour, no matter what you do you get dropped to 2mb.

I don't understand this, surely if a person is "abusing" their 5mb connection by say downloading tons of torrents or "linux iso's" then the FUP should kick. But I don't understand why just simply using the connection for what it's advertised for (Streaming, Gaming, Browsing) gets your FUP'd?

I ask because I feel like I'm actually paying R855 p/m for a 2mb connection since my connection is always at 2mb. I in no way abuse the connection and I don't understand why using more then 1/3 the speed you paying for gets you FUP'd.

I'm currently on 2mb line and I also raised many tickets regarding this and the answer was that as soon as my line touches the max rate of 2mbps and its constant for about 30 mins then I get FUP'd. Then I just wait for my you tube video to stream for next 20 mins in order for me to complete my video. Bit frustrating...

 

[koeksGHT]

Garth,

I have a question regarding the FUP.

I've been doing some tests and even if I only utilize 1/3 of my 5mb speed I still hit get dropped to 2mb.
It seems that just simply using the internet for an hour, no matter what you do you get dropped to 2mb.

I don't understand this, surely if a person is "abusing" their 5mb connection by say downloading tons of torrents or "linux iso's" then the FUP should kick. But I don't understand why just simply using the connection for what it's advertised for (Streaming, Gaming, Browsing) gets your FUP'd?

I ask because I feel like I'm actually paying R855 p/m for a 2mb connection since my connection is always at 2mb. I in no way abuse the connection and I don't understand why using more then 1/3 the speed you paying for gets you FUP'd.

this so much

My understanding was FUP was for abuse because ADSL has the 20:1 contention ratio on bandwidth where Bitco is advertised as a 1:1 which means my 5mbps should only be mine?

 

[JV_011_]

Ok: got home no internet, calls bitco - nobody answers. What gives guys. For someone who depends on streaming this ruins my day.

 

[Wikkels88]

Ok: got home no internet, calls bitco - nobody answers. What gives guys. For someone who depends on streaming this ruins my day.

Good luck dude, the only people happy atm are the people that haven't experienced any issues, Bitco's customer support has really been lacking the past couple of week, I've had a support ticket open for over a month now, and still no solution, they don't even bother replying to my mails anymore, in all honestly you'll get better customer support from telkom atm, and that says a lot

Edit: Looking at my emails here's the last message I got from bitco 11 days ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Please note that your request is still being attended to. Feedback will be provided as soon as possible.

Should you wish to find out the status of your request in more detail, you may either reply to this message or call us on 08600 24826 and quote this ticket number.


Your ticket status is 'Open'."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[JohnJuniorV3]

Good luck dude, the only people happy atm are the people that haven't experienced any issues, Bitco's customer support has really been lacking the past couple of week, I've had a support ticket open for over a month now, and still no solution, they don't even bother replying to my mails anymore, in all honestly you'll get better customer support from telkom atm, and that says a lot

Edit: Looking at my emails here's the last message I got from bitco 11 days ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Please note that your request is still being attended to. Feedback will be provided as soon as possible.

Should you wish to find out the status of your request in more detail, you may either reply to this message or call us on 08600 24826 and quote this ticket number.


Your ticket status is 'Open'."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the good note, I phoned in at 3pm this afternoon (regarding my internet being down) and by 4:30 it was up!

 

[valiente]

Early feedback of my 5Mb/s connection

So I have been using my line over the weekend quite excessively. Got Netflix up and Running with my Unotelly DNS on the E900 Router with Tomato by Shibby firmware V1.28 on.

Skip this part if your not interested in DNS setup on your device:
Earlier I posted a request for someone who might have the same issue as me with Netflix, by not wanting to route every device connected through the same International DNS as for my Roku. I got some suggestions/workarounds but before I tried them out. I gave my E900 another go at it and in short I got my Roku routing through international DNS and all other traffic through google's public 8.8.4.4.

In a result this gives me great website responsiveness but still having access to Netflix. I played around with loads of scripts and settings for my router and eventually came up with this:
Basic Network:
Static IP's changed to JHB & Cape Town: unotelly global-servers

Then in Advanced DHCP / DNS:
Where I applied a Filter per MAC Address connected which will Intercept UDP53 and apply my filters. Now these filters are NOT needed as you can just force the DNS on any device that you are connecting.

As long as the default static DNS is set to the Unotelly ones (or whichever company you choose to use).

Read Here for test results:
These tests are all ran under normal usage with all device still connected (Roku 3, Galaxy Note 3, Desktop, Laptop).
None of the devices were being used but they were all connected. All Tests were ran 3 times and the best ones got picked.

Cape Town PingTest.com: pingtest
Frankfurt PingTest.com: pingtest
Johannesburg speedtest.net: speedtest
Cape Town speedtest.net: speedtest
Rosebank capetown.spdtst.saix.net:
Download Speed: 5020 kbps (627.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1086 kbps (135.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 8 ms
9/15/2014 7:08:43 PM
Cape Town capetown.spdtst.saix.net:
Download Speed: 5027 kbps (628.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1085 kbps (135.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 35 ms
9/15/2014 7:09:42 PM

Now I did notice that speedtest.com seems horrible, but I think this has something to do with my DNS. My line is still going great, I hope it doesn't deteriorate like some of the other members here.

Will keep you guys posted if anything develops...

 

[moosag]

So I have been using my line over the weekend quite excessively. Got Netflix up and Running with my Unotelly DNS on the E900 Router with Tomato by Shibby firmware V1.28 on.

Skip this part if your not interested in DNS setup on your device:
Earlier I posted a request for someone who might have the same issue as me with Netflix, by not wanting to route every device connected through the same International DNS as for my Roku. I got some suggestions/workarounds but before I tried them out. I gave my E900 another go at it and in short I got my Roku routing through international DNS and all other traffic through google's public 8.8.4.4.

In a result this gives me great website responsiveness but still having access to Netflix. I played around with loads of scripts and settings for my router and eventually came up with this:
Basic Network: View attachment 149440
Static IP's changed to JHB & Cape Town: unotelly global-servers

Then in Advanced DHCP / DNS: View attachment 149442
Where I applied a Filter per MAC Address connected which will Intercept UDP53 and apply my filters. Now these filters are NOT needed as you can just force the DNS on any device that you are connecting.

As long as the default static DNS is set to the Unotelly ones (or whichever company you choose to use).

Read Here for test results:
These tests are all ran under normal usage with all device still connected (Roku 3, Galaxy Note 3, Desktop, Laptop).
None of the devices were being used but they were all connected. All Tests were ran 3 times and the best ones got picked.

Cape Town PingTest.com: pingtest
Frankfurt PingTest.com: pingtest
Johannesburg speedtest.net: speedtest
Cape Town speedtest.net: speedtest
Rosebank capetown.spdtst.saix.net:
Download Speed: 5020 kbps (627.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1086 kbps (135.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 8 ms
9/15/2014 7:08:43 PM
Cape Town capetown.spdtst.saix.net:
Download Speed: 5027 kbps (628.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1085 kbps (135.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 35 ms
9/15/2014 7:09:42 PM

Now I did notice that speedtest.com seems horrible, but I think this has something to do with my DNS. My line is still going great, I hope it doesn't deteriorate like some of the other members here.

Will keep you guys posted if anything develops...

Excellent thanks. Will give this a shot when I have time and let you know how things go. Thanks for the update

 

[JV_011_]

On the good note, I phoned in at 3pm this afternoon (regarding my internet being down) and by 4:30 it was up!

What was the issue with your link

 

[JohnJuniorV3]

What was the issue with your link

I have no clue, they just said that there was downtime with a couple of home links.

I'm happy it was sorted out so quickly!

 

[ReDeeMer]

I have noticed the FUP exists after hours and on weekends

i ran some tests and was at my desk watching the speeds, and they do halve after 1hr

my question is i wonder if Bitco would ever change the policy to 2hrs ?
i mean 1hr is just so quick.
especially when download games from xbox, games are getting bigger and 1hr gets used up fast.
also you cant control the speed on xbox or ps4, so you will inevitably be capped.

 

[Sparky_za]

I have noticed the FUP exists after hours and on weekends

i ran some tests and was at my desk watching the speeds, and they do halve after 1hr

my question is i wonder if Bitco would ever change the policy to 2hrs ?
i mean 1hr is just so quick.
especially when download games from xbox, games are getting bigger and 1hr gets used up fast.
also you cant control the speed on xbox or ps4, so you will inevitably be capped.

You can use the bandwidth limiter feature on the Wireless Router. I use this and it works quite well.

 

[Sparky_za]

Hi Guys

What are my options for extending the range of my wireless router outdoors? I have a big garden and would like to cover as much of it as I can. Maybe something like an airMAX Sector Antenna? Or is this overkill? Distance is more than 100m in any direction, but I don't want an omni antenna broadcasting back to the house as this will interfere with the wireless already in place there.

 

[ReDeeMer]

Hi Guys

What are my options for extending the range of my wireless router outdoors? I have a big garden and would like to cover as much of it as I can. Maybe something like an airMAX Sector Antenna? Or is this overkill? Distance is more than 100m in any direction, but I don't want an omni antenna broadcasting back to the house as this will interfere with the wireless already in place there.

1 x TL-WA5210G

http://www.tp-link.com/lk/products/details/?model=TL-WA5210G

Boom Problem Solved @ a good price nogal

 

[Sparky_za]

1 x TL-WA5210G

http://www.tp-link.com/lk/products/details/?model=TL-WA5210G

Boom Problem Solved @ a good price nogal

Thanks, will check it out.

 

[Elro]

Yeah and disconnect again tonight, managed to reach support who says the wireless team are making adjustments?!

really guys just canned DSTV - no tv over the weekend and now the kids cant watch their favourite show before bedtime..

starting to regret believing all that 99% uptime you were bragging about..

 

[koeksGHT]

Streaming



FUP kicks in

 

[Sparky_za]

Streaming

View attachment 149742

FUP kicks in

View attachment 149744

What are you streaming and from where if you don't mind posting?