BitCo Consumer Review

[BitCo]

Hi Pitbull

I don't mind downloading at night but if i do simple app updates on my phone, iPad or Apple Tv for instance then i get throttled

Like last night when i did the Apple Tv update, took 17 minutes and i was throttles for the remainder of the night

I can't stream HD and even youtube viewing is slow when i switch to HD

I pay for 5 MBPS but am on 2MBPS for most of the time which is my problem :-(

Hi Viashen,

Can you run some more tests and PM me results, i will also send you a PM now so we can test together, the FUP is designed to protect our network against large unsolicited downloads and should not keep you shaped for the rest of the night.

PS: To be sure your testing is accurate please use a LAN cable for testing as WIFI can affect speeds based on many factors

Mike

 

[BitCo]

Yeah, something is not adding up there. I have to download at full capacity for the full hour before I am throttled, and then even if moderately using the line (emails, browsing and Lync calls) I am unthrottled after just more than an hour.

I also do what Pitbull does, if I do have any large downloads I schedule them for nights or weekends when I am away.

It is quite possible that I may not notice my line is throttled as I am not a heavy user at all, but all tests I have done confirm what I have said in this post.

Hi Sparky_za,

That is exactly how our FUP is designed and your description is 100% accurate

Most users get the exact same results, personally i hardly notice that i have reached my FUP unless i'm using Torrents where i can actually see my line speed constantly

Mike

Regards,

 

[BitCo]

I dont know if this is possible so pleas bear with me. Cant we have streaming(NTV, Netflix, Hulu, Hulu+, Amazon, Youtube etc) running on the same port for everyone and have this running at 100% of the link, have sony, android, apple, microsoft stuff running between 70-90% of the link and the torrents or news groups at 50% of the link.

Hi NightCrawlerNic,

Sorry if i missed this but not sure i fully understand your question?

Would you mind giving some more detail?

Mike

 

[BitCo]

Lets give the guys a chance till Friday

Mike did say they reviewing the FUP and its a changing policy.

I'm sure he has taken all our ideas and they will come up with a plan.

At-least Bitco has this open policy and are at least present and trying to fix issues.

Loads of other companies would show middle finger

Hi Guys,

We do really appreciate the feedback and are taking everything into account as we constantly work to refine our product.

You guys would honestly be surprised by how many users absolutely abuse the links and run downloads at 100% line capacity 24/7

never the less we need to constantly refine the product to be the best in the market as an ADSL alternative

Regards,

 

[JohnJuniorV3]

I still haven't had any reply to my problem posted 3 weeks ago.

Still sit with timeouts and crazy ping spikes (basically everything freezes for +- 2 secs)

 

[Viashen]

Hi Viashen,

Thanks you for the feedback

I will send you a PM so we can discuss in more detail off thread but i have taken a good look into your line and usage and found the reason you hit the FUP after downloading at full speed was because their was previous usage on the line attributing towards the FUP

If you look back on this thread you will see where i explained how the FUP works based on the leaky bucket algorithm, if you read this it would give you a good understanding on how the FUP accumulated traffic works.

I can confirm your link will automatically recover after approximately 1 hour back to the full speed

i will take this opportunity to double check all your configuration, please let me know if you would like some further assistance in this regard?

Mike

Thanks Mike

Appreciate the response and assistance

Will wait for your PM

Regards

 

[Viashen]

Hi Viashen,

Can you run some more tests and PM me results, i will also send you a PM now so we can test together, the FUP is designed to protect our network against large unsolicited downloads and should not keep you shaped for the rest of the night.

PS: To be sure your testing is accurate please use a LAN cable for testing as WIFI can affect speeds based on many factors

Mike

Hi Mike

Will do

I do have some screenshots from last night that is sent to BitCo support if you want to take a look

Jaco Van Niekerk was the original support guy

Regards

 

[Wikkels88]

There are one or 2 individuals on Bitco's support staff that really make them look bad.

Seriously I appreciate the effort from Mike and Garth, Mike confirmed last week that there's a issue with illegal operators causing the packet loss, and they're going to change my frequency, and even go as far as changing my high site to solve the problem...

And the out of the blue I get this email from Bitco:

--------------------------------------------
As per the attached usage graph, it appears that the link does often reach its max bandwidth allocation. When the link reaches close to the max of the bandwidth allocation it will drop packets.
--------------------------------------------

This is the 2nd time someone from Bitco implies that the packet loss is caused because I try and game and download at the same time. Seriously I'm not this thick even if it appears that way Mike don't you guys communicate with one another? Really now, because on the one hand there'e Mike and Garth that knows what their talking about, and on the other their support staff (not going to mention names) that seem to make misinformed guesses to try and diagnose the problem just to get the customer off their back without actually helping at all.

 

[Pitbull]

There are one or 2 individuals on Bitco's support staff that really make them look bad.

Seriously I appreciate the effort from Mike and Garth, Mike confirmed last week that there's a issue with illegal operators causing the packet loss, and they're going to change my frequency, and even go as far as changing my high site to solve the problem...

And the out of the blue I get this email from Bitco:

--------------------------------------------
As per the attached usage graph, it appears that the link does often reach its max bandwidth allocation. When the link reaches close to the max of the bandwidth allocation it will drop packets.
--------------------------------------------

This is the 2nd time someone from Bitco implies that the packet loss is caused because I try and game and download at the same time. Seriously I'm not this thick even if it appears that way Mike don't you guys communicate with one another? Really now, because on the one hand there'e Mike and Garth that knows what their talking about, and on the other their support staff (not going to mention names) that seem to make uninformed guesses to try and diagnose the problem just to get the customer off their back without actually helping at all.

I can agree that from a client services point of view, conformity (I think it's the right word ) or everyone dealing with it should be on the same page. I think it's kinda difficult if one ticket is loaded more than once? But maybe a system where on the client's profile it indicates the tickets logged before and open tickets? Then on that ticket if someone says something or is investigating something the other person can view that status?

Hope that makes sense. Sounds perfect in my head, no idea how it will read

 

[JV_011_]

Hi NightCrawlerNic,

Sorry if i missed this but not sure i fully understand your question?

Would you mind giving some more detail?

Mike

As far as i understand streaming(Youtube, Netflix and Hulu+) has been prioritized even when my line is halfed to 2MB i can still get fair video quality on Hulu+ and youtube doenst buffer. Cant we have dedicated port(s) for streaming that run at full line capacity and the torrenting with FUP applied to them

Streaming @ 100% All the time
-Netflix
-Hulu+
-Youtube
-NTV
-Etc

and maybe include all traffics that goes to servers like
-Microsoft for gaming and game downloads or updates
-Sony
-Google - Play store
-Apple - for updates and the itunes streaming

Then what ever is left, the FUP applies

 

[Viashen]

As far as i understand streaming(Youtube, Netflix and Hulu+) has been prioritized even when my line is halfed to 2MB i can still get fair video quality on Hulu+ and youtube doenst buffer. Cant we have dedicated port(s) for streaming that run at full line capacity and the torrenting with FUP applied to them

Streaming @ 100% All the time
-Netflix
-Hulu+
-Youtube
-NTV
-Etc

and maybe include all traffics that goes to servers like
-Microsoft for gaming and game downloads or updates
-Sony
-Google - Play store
-Apple - for updates and the itunes streaming

Then what ever is left, the FUP applies

I like this idea best

 

[Pitbull]

I can agree with that but if everyone is streaming at home during the day where does that leave the corporate clients. In above example I would agree if it's done let's say from 18:00 to 06:00. Don't get me wrong I love having what I have. But I don't want someone else to suffer because I can now stream at full speed the whole day.

But I like the idea.

 

[prasanv]

As far as i understand streaming(Youtube, Netflix and Hulu+) has been prioritized even when my line is halfed to 2MB i can still get fair video quality on Hulu+ and youtube doenst buffer. Cant we have dedicated port(s) for streaming that run at full line capacity and the torrenting with FUP applied to them

Streaming @ 100% All the time
-Netflix
-Hulu+
-Youtube
-NTV
-Etc

and maybe include all traffics that goes to servers like
-Microsoft for gaming and game downloads or updates
-Sony
-Google - Play store
-Apple - for updates and the itunes streaming

Then what ever is left, the FUP applies

As said before I will give +1 trillion for this idea.......

 

[Murmaider]

There are one or 2 individuals on Bitco's support staff that really make them look bad.

Seriously I appreciate the effort from Mike and Garth, Mike confirmed last week that there's a issue with illegal operators causing the packet loss, and they're going to change my frequency, and even go as far as changing my high site to solve the problem...

And the out of the blue I get this email from Bitco:

--------------------------------------------
As per the attached usage graph, it appears that the link does often reach its max bandwidth allocation. When the link reaches close to the max of the bandwidth allocation it will drop packets.
--------------------------------------------

This is the 2nd time someone from Bitco implies that the packet loss is caused because I try and game and download at the same time. Seriously I'm not this thick even if it appears that way Mike don't you guys communicate with one another? Really now, because on the one hand there'e Mike and Garth that knows what their talking about, and on the other their support staff (not going to mention names) that seem to make misinformed guesses to try and diagnose the problem just to get the customer off their back without actually helping at all.

At least your getting some sort of communication, even if it is a stupid reply.
I've sent PM's and emails and I don't get any feedback at all.

 

[ravetoad]

Hey all,

So I signed the quote and sent the papers just after 5pm today, this is for the 10Mbps service in Parktown, JHB. Concerned about what I am reading here now, and have emailed BitCo to halt the process until I get answers. I have read about 30% of this thread, can someone tell me, in a nutshell:

1. Does use of Netflix, AppleTV etc (using UnoTelly) get you FUP throttled to 50% after the 1 hour period? Or is it only P2P? (I was told on the phone a few months ago that only P2P was throttled, I move large video files around as part of my work, and use P2P, but happy for less than 100% speeds here to avoid the throttling).

2. Does anyone know of high site around Parktown that I can look for, so that I am not wasting my time.

If the answer to 1 above is that there is in fact throttling then I think I will stick to Telkom. I am more than happy for P2P and unattended downloading to be throttled if used at 100% for extended durations, however, in the world today streaming services are "ordinary" internet usage and as ubiquitous as e-mail and browsing... I am only looking to BitCo as a temporary solution until someone (hopefully Vumatel) runs fibre down my street, then I will go over to something around 100Mbps and forget about bandwidth issues until time is with me no more.

Over, and out.
John

 

[Viashen]

Hey all,

So I signed the quote and sent the papers just after 5pm today, this is for the 10Mbps service in Parktown, JHB. Concerned about what I am reading here now, and have emailed BitCo to halt the process until I get answers. I have read about 30% of this thread, can someone tell me, in a nutshell:

1. Does use of Netflix, AppleTV etc (using UnoTelly) get you FUP throttled to 50% after the 1 hour period? Or is it only P2P? (I was told on the phone a few months ago that only P2P was throttled, I move large video files around as part of my work, and use P2P, but happy for less than 100% speeds here to avoid the throttling).

2. Does anyone know of high site around Parktown that I can look for, so that I am not wasting my time.

If the answer to 1 above is that there is in fact throttling then I think I will stick to Telkom. I am more than happy for P2P and unattended downloading to be throttled if used at 100% for extended durations, however, in the world today streaming services are "ordinary" internet usage and as ubiquitous as e-mail and browsing... I am only looking to BitCo as a temporary solution until someone (hopefully Vumatel) runs fibre down my street, then I will go over to something around 100Mbps and forget about bandwidth issues until time is with me no more.

Over, and out.
John

Hi John

I am currently using UnoTelly via an Apple Tv 3 for streaming and get throttled by the end of a movie :-(

I am not a heavy downloader myself but that does not mean i don't download at all

I agree 100 % with what you say about streaming services being the norm these days, almost everyone i know is doing it and they don't seem to experience what i go through.

Honestly, let the niggles get sorted before joining but this is my personal view lol

If you take a 5MB line for instance then you should get a 5MB line, the throttling is automatic but seems to be very strict from my experience.

Regards
Viashen

 

[ruhanstander]

Hey all,

So I signed the quote and sent the papers just after 5pm today, this is for the 10Mbps service in Parktown, JHB. Concerned about what I am reading here now, and have emailed BitCo to halt the process until I get answers. I have read about 30% of this thread, can someone tell me, in a nutshell:

1. Does use of Netflix, AppleTV etc (using UnoTelly) get you FUP throttled to 50% after the 1 hour period? Or is it only P2P? (I was told on the phone a few months ago that only P2P was throttled, I move large video files around as part of my work, and use P2P, but happy for less than 100% speeds here to avoid the throttling).

2. Does anyone know of high site around Parktown that I can look for, so that I am not wasting my time.

If the answer to 1 above is that there is in fact throttling then I think I will stick to Telkom. I am more than happy for P2P and unattended downloading to be throttled if used at 100% for extended durations, however, in the world today streaming services are "ordinary" internet usage and as ubiquitous as e-mail and browsing... I am only looking to BitCo as a temporary solution until someone (hopefully Vumatel) runs fibre down my street, then I will go over to something around 100Mbps and forget about bandwidth issues until time is with me no more.

Over, and out.
John

I joined the network 2 weeks ago on a 2mb link as we have no Telkom infrastructure in our area and had to get away from expensive mobile operators.

Not a heavy downloader, but have obviously tested the service as I was very limited to caps before. My downloads are scheduled from 23:00 till 5:00 every time evening to have the link recover by around 6:00 when our household starts getting life.

The throttling drives me crazy when the wife is streaming a tv series and I can hardly browse the web, even something simple as this site, without her show buffering constantly. I had a 2GB Windows update running the other day, and throttling seemed to kick in rather quickly and felt like ages to complete!

For this reason I have applied for the 5mb link to at least have a 2mb link when we want to sit down and watch a movie and not have buffering 1hr into it.

Was hoping to have seen an update on the FUP as Mike promised by end of week, but that did not happen.

Until Bitco sorts this out, rather stay with Telkom until your other ISP is ready.

 

[ravetoad]

Interest has waned...

Ruhanstander, Viashen, thank you for your inputs.

That's 2 strikes to the service and as such I am no longer interested. I will afford them right of reply to my e-mail and this thread of course, to be fair, they have been excellent at answering all questions via e-mail thus far.

However, If I pay R1499 for 10Mbps uncapped, I want full 10Mbps uncapped for ORDINARY internet services: Netflix, AppleTV, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 Player, Spotify, Hulu, etc. Happy to run at 5Mbps for unattended and P2P services.

If the FUP is updated accordingly, and soon, then I will proceed. Bitco, let not a stringent FUP ruin your new business sign-ups...

Best,
John

 

[koeksGHT]

2nd Saturday now network is slow, not fupped but get barely 1.5mbps

Everyone must use the internet at home on Saturdays

Download Speed: 918 kbps (114.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 942 kbps (117.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 25 ms
27/9/2014 12:26:28

 

[Viashen]

Ruhanstander, Viashen, thank you for your inputs.

That's 2 strikes to the service and as such I am no longer interested. I will afford them right of reply to my e-mail and this thread of course, to be fair, they have been excellent at answering all questions via e-mail thus far.

However, If I pay R1499 for 10Mbps uncapped, I want full 10Mbps uncapped for ORDINARY internet services: Netflix, AppleTV, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 Player, Spotify, Hulu, etc. Happy to run at 5Mbps for unattended and P2P services.

If the FUP is updated accordingly, and soon, then I will proceed. Bitco, let not a stringent FUP ruin your new business sign-ups...

Best,
John

Hi John

I really hope the same

Mike has been on the ball trying to sort out our issues

BitCo is very new to Home offerings from my understanding but if they take our advise, they will be the best in the Market guaranteed

My parents also want to sign up for the service over their current telkom ADSL but i have told them to hand 10 till this throttling issues get resolved

Mike, lets try get this done and i would recommend this to the world if it works how we want it to