FTTH Paulshof

[Vladimort]

So I tested my theory about the dual band (point 2 in my first post), and it seems to lead to a possible solution.

Given the nature of this network standard, the wireless 2.4GHz channels on you routers are most probably overlapping with your neighbors wireless channels.

The only solution is to get a router that supports 5GHz.
The challenge is that devices that connect to this network also have to support this band as well.
In my case, all my devices support this wireless band.
Now I get my the 25Mbps that I'm paying for.

I might have made some false accusations, which I apologize for.
From a discussion with the engineers, they do not shape their clients at all.
I feel that it is not Greencom's fault entirely for the issues that the consumers are experiencing, but they could have at least informed their customers of the consequences of going with the cheaper router.

Best bet would be to buy your own access point that has dual band capabilities.

Hope this helps.

 

[Vladimort]

Okay... So I take back everything I said.

Still experiencing this **** download speed.
Not sure if it's Metrofibre or Greencom to blame, but I'm am extremely pissed off at this point.

If people with 50Mb lines are also then experiencing the same speeds as me, then something is seriously up with this SP.

 

[Ben$ch]

How are you connecting to the router? Wirelessly I assume... what do your Speedtests show over network cable? This is likely just due to bad wireless signal,congested wifi channels and interference. Remember as well the 5ghz frequency is nice to have but it has much smaller range and is worse at going through walls... so often connecting to it isn't always the best idea since some devices simply join whichever frequency they support - this can lead to devices joining on the 5ghz frequency automatically and sitting with 1 bar of signal! The 2.4 frequency is limited and can be a nightmare it just depends on your environment and your neighboring internet services - but you should still be able to get around 40mbps depending on all the numerous factors out of an ISPs control. My advice first would be to get the Ethernet Speedtest results and assess - you should be getting +-23mbps up and down (if not more). If you aren't there is likely an issue on the fibre link itself or a problem with the layer 3 service being provided i.e. Bandwidth issue of some sort which is a problem since you should be getting max speed over cable. Get away from wireless! If you are on a high speed package it's a waste connecting wirelessly - save wireless for phones and tablets - streaming devices and pcs should connect via cable. It can be a mission and sometimes it looks a mess but that's how you can end your speed issues... check the greencom router - don't use 40mhz wide channels on the 2.4 frequency, ensure the channel is on "auto" or if manually specified don't use a channel that is being used by every Tom, dick and harry. You can get an app to do a channel scan around you... avoid using devices like repeaters or extenders to boost the signal - most of the time they just suck and only deliver around half of your line speed - rather set up a secondary router connected to the main router via network cable... try also shifting the router to a different spot - it may be in a crappy spot with interference or sitting in a dead zone - if all else fails request a router swap or an assessment of your link from Greencom's layer 3 engineers... you can simply run a continuous ping on your WAN IP addreSs and check if there is packet loss...hope this info helps - if you need more pm me. Jono

 

[Ben$ch]

This is what you should expect if connected with a cable - this is on a 50mbps line through Metrofibre.

 

[Vladimort]

How are you connecting to the router? Wirelessly I assume... what do your Speedtests show over network cable? This is likely just due to bad wireless signal,congested wifi channels and interference. Remember as well the 5ghz frequency is nice to have but it has much smaller range and is worse at going through walls... so often connecting to it isn't always the best idea since some devices simply join whichever frequency they support - this can lead to devices joining on the 5ghz frequency automatically and sitting with 1 bar of signal! The 2.4 frequency is limited and can be a nightmare it just depends on your environment and your neighboring internet services - but you should still be able to get around 40mbps depending on all the numerous factors out of an ISPs control. My advice first would be to get the Ethernet Speedtest results and assess - you should be getting +-23mbps up and down (if not more). If you aren't there is likely an issue on the fibre link itself or a problem with the layer 3 service being provided i.e. Bandwidth issue of some sort which is a problem since you should be getting max speed over cable. Get away from wireless! If you are on a high speed package it's a waste connecting wirelessly - save wireless for phones and tablets - streaming devices and pcs should connect via cable. It can be a mission and sometimes it looks a mess but that's how you can end your speed issues... check the greencom router - don't use 40mhz wide channels on the 2.4 frequency, ensure the channel is on "auto" or if manually specified don't use a channel that is being used by every Tom, dick and harry. You can get an app to do a channel scan around you... avoid using devices like repeaters or extenders to boost the signal - most of the time they just suck and only deliver around half of your line speed - rather set up a secondary router connected to the main router via network cable... try also shifting the router to a different spot - it may be in a crappy spot with interference or sitting in a dead zone - if all else fails request a router swap or an assessment of your link from Greencom's layer 3 engineers... you can simply run a continuous ping on your WAN IP addreSs and check if there is packet loss...hope this info helps - if you need more pm me. Jono

I appreciate you trying to help, but I'm way ahead of you on that one @Ben$ch. I take all these things into consideration before I log any SR's.

Yes, I use wireless. But that's simply because I hate having cables all over the place.
I'm on a 5Ghz band (physical layer 2 bridging with a decent AP) with exceptional signal strength (I never use 2.4 anyway), so channel overlapping is not the case here. I've got an asus network adapter with 3 antennas supporting "1300 Mbps". Copying stuff locally gives me about ~800Mbps.
It has nothing to do with my wireless because when I take everything else off the network and do various speedtests with a back to back connection to the router, it still provides the same results.
My speeds are fine during the day which proves that equipment on my side is fine, but the issue is that I'm working during the day.
I use it when I get back from work only to experience degrading speeds after 6 or 7pm.

I've proven to these people that its not an issue on my side, yet they still cant grasp the fact that its an issue on their side.
I've now closed the ticket that has been open since I signed up with these damn people, and I'm now considering moving over to another ISP. Hoping Firestream will do the trick.

Anyone else experiencing this in Matika Lifestyle Estate or perhaps moved over to another ISP in this complex?

 

[PBCool]

Why not change ISP?

 

[Vladimort]

Why not change ISP?

It costs time, effort and money changing ISP's, but at this rate I'm really considering it.

 

[Drone 42]

It costs time, effort and money changing ISP's, but at this rate I'm really considering it.

Just try a different ISP, I have beenon home-connect now for a few months and with no issues, according to their FAQ they also don't charge to switch you

"Should you already be with another ISP, and have the specific provider’s ONT on site, we will switch you over at no cost"

Otherwise try Cool ideas, not sure if they charge to switch you.

 

[opinionhated]

I see pink in Paulshof. I'm assuming vumatel is finally trenching on my road. Yay. Pre ordered months ago.

 

[Drone 42]

I see pink in Paulshof. I'm assuming vumatel is finally trenching on my road. Yay. Pre ordered months ago.

Most of Paulshof has been live for a few months now, either on Vuma or Metrofibre. Think some of the complexes have SADV also.

You must be in one of the last streets to get installed.

 

[opinionhated]

Most of Paulshof has been live for a few months now, either on Vuma or Metrofibre. Think some of the complexes have SADV also.

You must be in one of the last streets to get installed.

I am

 

[Azimuth]

This has been a very interesting thread. Thank you all for sharing.

One thing we all have (had) in common no matter where we come from...123Net.

 

[Stunt]

Head's up - Avoid Greencom at ALL costs.

 

[wes12]

Head's up - Avoid Greencom at ALL costs.

Could not possibly agree more - didn't think you could go down from Telkom's customer experience.

My complex has metrofibre - is it possible to use another ISP (anything other than greencom) using the same line?

Vumatel said they were installing in my complex, but it's been months now and no word yet..

 

[Drone 42]

Could not possibly agree more - didn't think you could go down from Telkom's customer experience.

My complex has metrofibre - is it possible to use another ISP (anything other than greencom) using the same line?

Vumatel said they were installing in my complex, but it's been months now and no word yet..

Yes, Metrofbre is open access

there are a few ISP options, here are a few

Cool Ideas
Home-Connect
Rocketnet
Firestream
Afrihost

I think it is unlikely that Vumatel will also install in the complex if Metrofibre already installed, it will depend on the demand for a second provider.