So it looks like the NBN internet saga has come to an end.
After much dialogue with my NBN provider (Internode), who, by the way, were actually very amenable on the phone and in all conversations, I have a new modem, and have upgraded to a 25 down/5 up plan. So how did this all happen???
When I started experiencing poor streamlining, I contacted internode. We ran some tests, and even though they said they would trial me on a 25-5 plan, I was still experiencing issues. Testing showed I was still getting about 10-5 and picture pixellation.
An NBN technician came out. He said the modem was getting 25-5. So this was reported back to internode. It was assessed that the problem must be with the modem. My modem was under warranty, so a new modem was sent out - free of charge.
The new modem was tested. Still only getting 10-5. More phone calls with interode. It turns out that, despite saying I was on a 25-5 trial, they had coded my modem to only deliver 12-5. And I was experiencing the same issues with the new modem, which they assured me was capable of running 100-25. At one point, one of the Internode techs conceded that to run Foxtel with no latency or pixellation, you need about 1.5 upload speed - below what I had.
But even the techs at internode assured me (and sounded surprised) that my line was capable of running speeds well above what I was getting (this in and of itself indicates how bad the NBN is - even the people that sell it realise there is latency issues with the delivery, and that services may not always be delivered as advertised - more on this shortly...)
So after some more conversations, I effectively conceded that in order to get stable, HD streaming images for sport content that I want, that I needed to upgrade - or at least trial it and see if that would fix the problem. After all, Internode had effectively given me a new, better modem for free.
This is decided even though it would cost me $80 a month with the new plan (+$10 change over fee), again pushing me further back to the price I was at when I cut the cable.
However...
I am pleased to say that, over the last two days since the new plan came into effect, the internet signal has been stable, and constant HD with less latency and virtually no pixerllation. So is all good??
Well, I am still below where I was paying for satellite. It needs to be remembered that, even when I had satellite, I was still paying for NBN, at about $60 a month. And with no more satellite, I am still probably about $50 in front per month, even though I paying more for NBN.
So all in all, it was a fucking headache, but I have an upgraded modem for free, I'm pulling down as much data as I can handle, and the quality is about as good as I could hope for.
Also, as alluded to before, Internode techs on the phone are very deliberate in letting people know that they may not be able to deliver the speeds people expect - another indictment on the qaulity of the fucking Internet we have in this country - they should be pushing their speeds - not making people wary of getting their hopes up!!
Having said that, despite my best efforts, it should also be realised that Foxtel Now, no matter what speed internet I have state on their website, that linear TV is delivered at a maximum of 720HD, while on-demand shows will be in 1080HD.
As an avid sport watcher, you do notice the difference between 720 and 1080. It's not ideal. But I have HD delivered via internet, cheaper than satellite. This is my choice. This is incumbent on the government to also improve NBN.
I would hate to have been an elderly person, or someone who didn't usually speak English to have to go through all this. I fucking love my sport.
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UPDATE: It's now about a week later, and the quality of the picture has been much better, with effectively no picture degradation at all. More about this in a future post (because Internode also tried to ring me about something, not sure what...)
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