Whirlpool

Continues from: /forum-replies.cfm?t=841142&p=-1#bottom

The reason I asked about Comcen, is because that is who I am with now and they always show a higher speed than other speed test sites.

I am getting 1.11 MB/sec this morning, but Oz Broadband test is down around 650kb/sec and speedtest net is showing 677kb/sec.

I don't see why there are such big differences. Who do you believe?

Not that I am unhappy with the speed but, it doesn't seem to really reflect the true download speeds I get say on ABC iView, or when downloading a new program file.

Bobthequill

Bobthequill writes...

I don't see why there are such big differences. Who do you believe?

My results on Comcen were so slow that I ignored them. They were clearly wrong for me. My guess is that you get high speeds from within their network because they can deliver it to you as fast as possible, but I'm coming from outside their network and they are subject to other influences.

I reckon that the lower two readings you get are closer to real world scenarios, so I'd trust them.

Windsor N 4030

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test Test run on 12/08/2008 @ 04:22 PM

Mirror: OptusNet Data: 3 MB Test Time: 45.94 secs

Your line speed is 533 kbps (0.53 Mbps). Your download speed is 67 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Hi,
I just got hooked up with Virgin mobile broadband today.

I am in Parkes, Central West NSW, and using the 900Mhz network Optus turned on here a few weeks ago.
Hardware is Win Vista laptop with the E169 modem.

Did a speed test and here are the results.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 12/08/2008 @ 05:04 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 47.98 secs

Your line speed is 511 kbps (0.51 Mbps).
Your download speed is 64 KB/s (0.06 MB/s).

All in all I am quite happy with that.

Faster and cheaper than the bigpond next G fast plan I am using that cost's me $49.95 a month for 1gig at 256Kbps speeds.
Though admittedly the real test will be the 7PM-10PM time frame. I will do some more test's later tonight and see how it performs then.

AREA 51 writes...

Faster and cheaper than the bigpond next G fast plan I am using that cost's me $49.95 a month for 1gig at 256Kbps speeds.
Though admittedly the real test will be the 7PM-10PM time frame. I will do some more test's later tonight and see how it performs then.

One thing about where you are mate.

It will be pretty difficult to overload a tower.

Good luck with it. I reckon you will maintain your current speeds no prob.

Not like us outer city slickers who have to dodge and weave to find a decent service.

Let us know how you go.

Bobthequill

90m from tower in Karrinyup Perth.
Never get over 128kb per sec.
Leaving ASAP for better service.

NSW 2428

Circa 800-900 m from Optus tower.

Using Nokia N78 as OTA modem. Have $15/m 1GB data allowance from Virgin Mobile.

Windows XP Pro SP3 reports 460.8 connection.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test at 06:03 PM today:

Mirror: aaNet
Data: 9 MB
Test Time: 123.34 secs

(Your line speed is 613 kbps (0.61 Mbps).
Your download speed is 77 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Perhaps I should try this again in a less busy time :-)

Using the computer on an ethernet connection via the Billion 7404VGO-M at 5:56 PM (same mirror, same image):

Test Time: 34.83 secs

(Your line speed is 2.17 Mbps (2170 kbps).
Your download speed is 271 KB/s (0.26 MB/s).

Cheers,

LMH

Speed tests can be super dodgy I think. The following speed tests were done less than a minute apart, and the difference in speeds is huge.

SA 5042, where the arsenic hour is now after 11pm.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 14/08/2008 @ 07:49 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 13.59 secs

Your line speed is 359 kbps (0.36 Mbps).
Your download speed is 45 KB/s (0.04 MB/s).

[URL=http://www.speedtest.net][IMG]http://www.speedtest.net/result/308946489.png[/IMG][/URL]

Bobthequill writes...

One thing about where you are mate.

It will be pretty difficult to overload a tower.

I think you are pretty much correct with that one.
Parkes does not have an overly huge population for a start, and to top it off there is no optus shop in town so the optus/virgin wireless broadband is not going to be pushed very hard by anyone localy. (Except by me to a very select few people)

There are however two telstra dealers in town pushing the bigsplash broadband.
So the people who do get wireless broadband are most likely going to get bigsplash and not optus.

So as you say it is unlikely the optus 900Mhz spectrum here will be overloaded by leechers.
I hope not anyway.

Anyway I just did another test a few minutes ago and got even better speeds than the last one.
Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 14/08/2008 @ 09:22 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 41.78 secs

Your line speed is 586 kbps (0.59 Mbps).
Your download speed is 73 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

So I am one of the few people at least that cannot fault the Virgin wirelss broadband.

Canberra 2904

http://www.speedtest.net/result/308995834.png

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 14/08/2008 @ 10:54 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 24.7 secs

Your line speed is 198 kbps (0.2 Mbps).
Your download speed is 25 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

However, at 7-8pm, I only manage to get a line speed of 64kbps... network load?!?

Speed in Gungahlin 2913 still great. Since my new router, I've only had one internet connection fail (over a week now). BUT, the phone does drop out every 4-8 minutes during peak times.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 16/08/2008 @ 09:04 AM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 37.77 secs

Your line speed is 649 kbps (0.65 Mbps).
Your download speed is 81 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 18/08/2008 @ 03:11 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 43.61 secs

Your line speed is 562 kbps (0.56 Mbps).
Your download speed is 70 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Location: northern nsw 2477

...is this any good? I'm day one of my 30 day trial, and I'm nervous after wading all the way through this thread!

do I bother writes...

...is this any good?

Hello,

check out the post a few messages above where someone has almost the same data rate and considers himself "one of the few who can't fault VBB", or words to that effect.

I am in 2428 and have a similar data rate using a Nokia mobile connected to the PC and I find pages load fast enough for me – almost convinced I should try the proper VBB@Home now...

Cheers,

LMH

carioca writes...

have a similar data rate using a Nokia mobile connected to the PC and I find pages load fast enough for me – almost convinced I should try the proper VBB@Home now...

I hate to be a party-pooper, but you just may be sorry were you to go that step further into Virgin-land.

This is my current line speed:

Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 18/08/2008 @ 04:46 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 9.99 secs

Your line speed is 489 kbps (0.49 Mbps).
Your download speed is 61 KB/s (0.06 MB/s).

...not great, but good for this time of the day. I am also experiencing very good latency, but for some reason browsing is still slow and sometimes pages time out for no reason.

The above issue has arisen in the past 2 days or so, and no-one seems to know what causes this.
That is, despite most problems of the past few months being solved – here in Adelaide at least – browsing is still only marginally better than dial-up, and I used to get my dial-up for $0 with my home phone, that latter of which rarely cost me more than $55/month.

Consider your options carefully, and check out other VBB@H users' experiences using this board.

rosen3 writes...

Consider your options carefully, and check out other VBB@H users' experiences using this board.

I figure anyone who does that and then signs up either deserves a medal or an insanity check.

rosen3 writes...

Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 18/08/2008 @ 04:46 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 9.99 secs

Your line speed is 489 kbps (0.49 Mbps).
Your download speed is 61 KB/s (0.06 MB/s).

...not great, but good for this time of the day. I am also experiencing very good latency, but for some reason browsing is still slow and sometimes pages time out for no reason.

Considering the service is advertised at 512 kbps, the achieved result is within 5% and would probably considered acceptable. My average line speed since January is 373 kbps (73% of advertised) over 24 tests and the average of the last 10 back to early April is 264 kbps (51%), with lowest speed of 62 kbps. Note I also test using the 3MB test file.

Highest recorded line speed was 663 kbps (was early this year). I'm now resigned to GPRS connections only.

Very happy to report that after a month of slow speeds following a 1-2 day 3G outage here speeds have picked right up again thanks to some work from the engineers at Virgin. This was earlier tonight during the 4-8pm peak period:

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 21/08/2008 @ 06:04 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 36.75 secs

Your line speed is 666 kbps (0.67 Mbps).
Your download speed is 83 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

AFCfan writes...

Your line speed is 666 kbps

The devil is back in Adelaide :)

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 22/08/2008 @ 01:25 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 69.16 secs

Your line speed is 354 kbps (0.35 Mbps).
Your download speed is 44 KB/s (0.04 MB/s).

This is a good day !!! ARRGHHHH !

someone's mum writes...

The devil is back in Adelaide :)

Perhaps Adelaide is where the devil lives!!!!!

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 22/08/2008 @ 03:41 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 38.92 secs

Your line speed is 629 kbps (0.63 Mbps).
Your download speed is 79 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Despite everything looking really good on paper, pages still loading s-o-o slowly here at 5042. Even Whirlpool pages take a long time to load, and they shouldn't.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 22/08/2008 @ 08:35 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 9 MB
Test Time: 128.5 secs

Your line speed is 588 kbps (0.59 Mbps).
Your download speed is 74 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Must say I'm pleased with this. Woodcroft 5162

someone's mum writes...

Must say I'm pleased with this. Woodcroft 5162

Yeeehah.... Good Stuff someonesmum !!

Now where to start ??!?!?

000.1 ?
or
300.1 and above

questions questions ! ;) tee hee

rosen3 writes...

Despite everything looking really good on paper, pages still loading s-o-o slowly here at 5042. Even Whirlpool pages take a long time to load, and they shouldn't.

Have you tried changing your DNS settings to something other than Virgin (I'm using the OpenDNS settings). It's not an absolute panacea for slow loading, but it does seem to have helped, especially on pages that load from various sites (you know you load one site which wants to connect to doublclick and to google analytics and pull a picture from another site, load google ads, etc -each one of these requires a successful DNS lookup).

Dancing Bear writes...

Have you tried changing your DNS settings to something other than Virgin (I'm using the OpenDNS settings)

How does one do that, Dancing Bear? I suspect DNS settings are part of the page-loading problem, but have no idea how to go about changing these.

Some guidance would be appreciated.

rosen3 writes...

How does one do that, Dancing Bear? I suspect DNS settings are part of the page-loading problem, but have no idea how to go about changing these.
Some guidance would be appreciated.

There is a way to have multiple DNS settings via windows outlined on one of these threads, but I simply elect to do it simply and directly via the router. It feels cleaner and more straight forward to me. So to the steps:

Step 1. Login to the router as admin using your router password.
Step 2. Select "Network Settings" then click on "Wan Cellular 2"
Step 3. Select the button "Settings" at the bottom of this page.
Step 4. Look for DNS Settings and click on the list to change from "Obtain DNS setting automatically" to "Use the following DNS Server addresses".
Step 5. Type in your DNS settings. I use 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.222.220
Step 6. Click "Apply" and then close out from the various pages.

If you ever need to change it back, you can simply change it to "Obtain DNS settings automatically" again easily enough (e.g. troubleshooting with Virgin, probably a good idea to swap back before hand."

Easy once you know how.

Dancing Bear writes...

Easy once you know how.

It certainly is!

Done!

Hope browsing improves – even a little – as a result.

Thanks so much for that.

Another little trick to speed up the page opening.

If you are in IE7, make sure all your add ons are verified.

Any that aren't, disable them.

Yahoo add on tends to slow you too. Disable this.

I went the whole hog and disable IE7. I am now running Firefox 3 and have no delays on page opening.

Firefox appears a little faster than IE.

Bobthequill

Bobthequill writes...

Firefox appears a little faster than IE.

I haven't used IE for several years, as is the internet equivalent of taking a toddler shopping (other mothers out there will know what I mean.)

I find Firefox to be much more efficient.

Since changing DNS servers (only a half hour or so ago) have noticed a distinct improvement, although browsing still a bit halted.

Benno69 writes...

Now where to start ??!?!?

000.1 ?

or

300.1 and above

questions questions ! ;) tee hee

020 Anything to do with Libraries
595.4 Spiders..... :p LOL

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 23/08/2008 @ 05:38 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 8.22 secs

Your line speed is 594 kbps (0.59 Mbps).
Your download speed is 74 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

http://www.speedtest.net/result/312667463.png

I like this result too!!

someone's mum writes...

I like this result too!!

Wooooo Hooooo !!!! :D

Now you are just showing off ! Tidy work though !

Sa 5042

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 24/08/2008 @ 06:15 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 44.23 secs

Your line speed is 554 kbps (0.55 Mbps).
Your download speed is 69 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

I've no idea why it is that with this line speed, which is quite acceptable, and now using OpenDNS, that all pages – including Google and even Whirlpool, are opening slower than Dial-up.

My son has this experience every night he uses the `net, and can't work out why I don't complain loudly, and get myself out of this Virgin-mess! (Truth is, I haven't the energy left to kick up a fuss.)

rosen3 writes...

I've no idea why it is that with this line speed, which is quite acceptable, and now using OpenDNS, that all pages – including Google and even Whirlpool, are opening slower than Dial-up.

It sounds to me as though there is an issue with the computer you are using. If web pages are opening that slowly, but you are able to get line speeds as above, then it is not the connection that is running slowly.

Here are some suggestions that you should try to see if we cant locate the issue:
1. Clear your browser cache
2. Defragment your disk drive
3. Run a full scan for both viruses and spyware on the computer
4. Try using a few different browsers
5. If possible, try another computer with the connection
6. If you have a virus scanner on the computer automatically scanning as you use it, try disabling it to see if it makes a difference. You should then make sure it is up to date, and remember to re-enable it once you have completed the test

The DNS only affect the amount of time it takes to connect to the correct page, but then it should load quickly after that point.

Hi Robert, I get the exact same symptoms so i'll be very suprised if it's his computer.

Once a file starts to download it kicks along nicely. Any type of internet use which requires a number of small files to be downloaded at once such as browsing news.com.au or even the virginbroadband.com.au website are excruciatingly slow in peak times. Sunday night is particularly bad, but pretty much any night after 8pm web browsing is a hit and miss affair.

Speed tests during this period all come up ok. But Ping tests will routinely fail with 1-5% lost packets.

I know its not my computer because :
1) This behaviour only occurs in peak times. Websurfing in the morning rockets along just nicely as it should all the time.
2) My iphone has the same problems when i use the virgin wifi instead of optus 3g.

I'm in Adelaide btw.

Andrew Forbes writes...

Hi Robert, I get the exact same symptoms so i'll be very suprised if it's his computer.

I too can confirm this behaviour. There are times when complex pages are just slow to load, but speed tests and downloads work at full speed. And my Laptop travels from home to my office and even after making allowance for 3 x's the connection speed at the office (2Mbps ADSL), Virgin creates more problems with page timeouts etc.

It's worth trying your recommendations just in case, but seriously I doubt that it is his PC.

Broadband Speed Test Results
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 06:18 PM
Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 44.65 secs
Your line speed is 549 kbps (0.55 Mbps).
Your download speed is 69 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

On the train: somewhere around Cowan (Sydney) 6:19pm
All Pages loading fine, as far as i can tell from 2hrs total use!
Virgin BB, just signed up today. $39/5Gb/mo
Vista Home Premium
Firefox 3

Robert Tihanyi writes...

Here are some suggestions that you should try to see if we cant locate the issue:
1. Clear your browser cache
2. Defragment your disk drive
3. Run a full scan for both viruses and spyware on the computer
4. Try using a few different browsers
5. If possible, try another computer with the connection
6. If you have a virus scanner on the computer automatically scanning as you use it, try disabling it to see if it makes a difference. You should then make sure it is up to date, and remember to re-enable it once you have completed the test

I'm pretty certain that none of this is relevant, as same thing happens on different browser, computer relatively new and plenty of `grunt', virus scanner doesn't run in realtime, etc, etc, etc.

Main reason I feel confident none of this is relevant is that so many other users are experiencing this issue – and for me this has emerged only since the tower upgrades/patch/ whatever early in August.

My (adult) son is disgusted with Virgin's internet performance after 8pm, and can't figure out why I still pay $70/month for this, and also for the dubious privilege of having phone calls drop out regularly and without warning.

Andrew Forbes writes...

I know its not my computer because :
1) This behaviour only occurs in peak times. Websurfing in the morning rockets along just nicely as it should all the time.

Me too...

(and I'm in Adelaide, also, although I know that people on the east coast are experiencing the exact same thing, especially at peak times.)

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 06:35 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 70 KB
Test Time: 35.08 secs

Your line speed is 16 kbps (0.02 Mbps).
Your download speed is 2 KB/s (0 MB/s).

ooooooooouch..... still on train: i feel sorry for anyone at hawkesbury river! modem shows GMS connection...

finally home pearl beach (just near umina/woy woy) 2256 and i like the results! not yet after 8pm, though...

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 07:26 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 37.6 secs

Your line speed is 651 kbps (0.65 Mbps).
Your download speed is 81 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

7:30pm

Dancing Bear writes...

I too can confirm this behaviour. There are times when complex pages are just slow to load, but speed tests and downloads work at full speed.

I can add my voice to those of discontent and say that despite a speed test that looks like this:

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 07:58 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 37.55 secs

Your line speed is 652 kbps (0.65 Mbps).
Your download speed is 82 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

pages are currently opening so slowly it is painful. Cleared my internet explorer cache last night – no difference. Not sure about others, but this is a very recent phenomena here.

The modem is often slow to switch to HSDPA and will switch back to UMTS before the page has finished (or in some cases started) to load. It may in fact switch several times between UMTS and HSDPA in trying to display the page and the result is slower than GPRS in many cases.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 08:45 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 8.16 secs

Your line speed is 599 kbps (0.6 Mbps).
Your download speed is 75 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

My pages have been loading a little slower too. I cleared everything so I'll see what happens.

AFCfan writes...

The modem is often slow to switch to HSDPA and will switch back to UMTS before the page has finished (or in some cases started) to load. It may in fact switch several times between UMTS and HSDPA in trying to display the page and the result is slower than GPRS in many cases.

Modem is now behaving normally again and browsing is a pleasant experience. Hope something can be done about whatever is causing this problem.

I just hooked up Virgin Wireless BB for my mother and the speeds were good.

Probably because she is in an area where not that many people would be using 3G as a broadband service.

Team Infidel writes...

I just hooked up Virgin Wireless BB for my mother and the speeds were good.

If your mum is older or has health problems do not get rid of her landline. VB@H is very unreliable as a single phone source.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 26/08/2008 @ 10:41 PM

Mirror: Australia On Line
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 237.34 secs

Your line speed is 103 kbps (0.1 Mbps).
Your download speed is 13 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Bam!

Dancing Bear writes...

If your mum is older or has health problems do not get rid of her landline. VB@H is very unreliable as a single phone source.

I didn't say I hooked the phone up through Virgin BB.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 29/08/2008 @ 04:49 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 36.11 secs

Your line speed is 678 kbps (0.68 Mbps).
Your download speed is 85 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Flying today......pages seem to be opening better too.

I didn't say I hooked the phone up through Virgin BB.

There is an option to have a prepaid at home phone with Telstra
as a backup to wireless BB. For health care card holders there
is a free service as well. See wiki for details.

Cheers Dave

Dave Lister writes...

For health care card holders there
is a free service as well. See wiki for details.

Now, that is something I'd be interested in investigating further.......
However, Wiki is BIG – so any idea of the topic title???

rosen3 writes...

Now, that is something I'd be interested in investigating further.......

go to your friendly Telstra corner store and ask the attendant consultant to print out two pages from his screen Telstra > Access for Everyone > Products & Solutions > InContact (that's the name of the incoming & emergency calls only 'free' phone line for pensioners and other hardship 'clients')...

Alternatively, search under "InContact".

Cheers,

LMH

"InContact"

It used to be free a number of years ago.

I made some inquiries about 1 year ago for some relatives. At that time the reply came back as ..... It can still be free for up to 1 year but no longer than 1 year. After the "up to 1 year", the person would have to pay a reconnection fee to get a normal land line back.

The original people that were on an non time limited "InContact" service would for the time being be able to stay on it indefinitely, but this may change in the future.
By the way, I am one that has a "non time limited" "InContact" service, and will keep it as long as I can.

I have heard nothing in the mean time that suggests things have changed, but it is always best for people to check.

Thanks for that, guys.

Have checked the Testra website under `InContact', and the implication appears to be that this service is free for 12 months.

and on topic -

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 01/09/2008 @ 04:14 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 37.89 secs

Your line speed is 647 kbps (0.65 Mbps).
Your download speed is 81 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Nice speeds for this time of day – 3:45pm in Adelaide – but had a few goes to open Oz Speedtest, then same thing with Whirlpool.

S-o annoying!!

It's got nothing to do with your PC don't bother wasting your time.

Simple fact is starting at around 4pm and until about 10pm the service dies under the number of users that are on it. There are simply too many users on the network. It was bad before Optus released their plans but now it's pathetic.

I've been running pingplotter for the last week. The graph it produces speaks for itself.

You can see a 48 hour period here :

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/697/totalcrapkj0.gif

On a positive note I experience fewer dropouts now. Seems like they fixed something.

Not quite sure if this is acceptable or not.. But i think what customers want is not just a faster speed but consistency in connection speed. Anyway, this is a result from NSW 2118.

OZ Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 03/09/2008 @ 10:12 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 27.99 secs

Your line speed is 875 kbps (0.88 Mbps).
Your download speed is 109 KB/s (0.11 MB/s).

Not quite sure if this is acceptable or not.. But i think what customers want is not just a faster speed but consistency in connection speed. Anyway, this is a result from NSW 2118.

OZ Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 03/09/2008 @ 10:12 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 27.99 secs

Your line speed is 875 kbps (0.88 Mbps).
Your download speed is 109 KB/s (0.11 MB/s).

Edit:

about ten minutes later, the result speaks for itself that this is not a reliable service. Unfortunately, we might have to put up with this for a while.

Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 03/09/2008 @ 10:23 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 55.62 secs

Your line speed is 440 kbps (0.44 Mbps).
Your download speed is 55 KB/s (0.05 MB/s).

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 04/09/2008 @ 05:29 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 8.06 secs

Your line speed is 606 kbps (0.61 Mbps).
Your download speed is 76 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Not to bad......it is 5pm here in SA.....will try during peak time. My pages seem to be opening better.

I read somewhere that Virgin's delivery was limited across the board to between 700 and 800 kbs, so maybe that is part of the issue. Several members of my family use Virgin BB and they all experience exactly the problems you have all described, including phone drop out – sometimes 3 times in 10 minutes – yet they all live in different States across Australia. It seems to be problems with both service speeds and Optus' overload. Also, anyone who is VOIP experienced will tell you that 512 per sec is very borderline for a VOIP connection at the best of times and not possible to do anything on the internet whilst on the phone with this speed. I think Virgin should have charged $10 more per month for the package and offered a higher speed, quite frankly.

I am now on the lookout for a wireless provider and I can tell you, it won't be Virgin BB.

I would love to stay logged in long enough to do a speed test

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 05/09/2008 @ 08:19 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 8.17 secs

Your line speed is 598 kbps (0.6 Mbps).
Your download speed is 75 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Doing ok.....it's 7.50 here in Adelaide (Woodcroft 5162). Pages still opening without to much trouble.

sorry if this is a bit ot but can someone tell me if virgin wireless broaband count uploads in any of their plans ie the $39 5 gig plan.

Nothing wrong with Virgin.
Just use it after 11pm :-P

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 05/09/2008 @ 11:00 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 36.28 secs

Your line speed is 675 kbps (0.68 Mbps).
Your download speed is 84 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Toongy writes...

Nothing wrong with Virgin.
Just use it after 11pm :-P

Yes, but do your pages load well? i.e. Do they stall during loading, or open normally?

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 05/09/2008 @ 11:16 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 37.89 secs

Your line speed is 647 kbps (0.65 Mbps).
Your download speed is 81 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

I'm happy with the line speed, but page-loading very erratic at all times of the day, even mornings, and even on pages with minimal graphics.

I was only being sarcastic :-P

I don't even surf the net anymore with this crappy connection.
It's just too frustrating and in 2 weeks time Virgin can kiss my ***.

Saturday afternoon in sunny clear Greenwood WA 6024:

Test run on 06/09/2008 @ 05:58 PM

Mirror: EFTel
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 398.22 secs

Your line speed is 12 kbps (0.01 Mbps).
Your download speed is 2 KB/s (0 MB/s).

Interestingly, www.speedtest.net tells me this:

410kbps download line speed
243kbps upload speed
999ms PING

And my wife is browsing the net just fine on our other computer.

Net browsing is fine, both text and graphics pages. World of Warcraft however is so incredibly laggy, it keeps disconnecting me and just making in unplayable.

The worst part is that from say August 30 – September 4 (Thursday) it was fine! As good as it used to be at the very start of the VBB launch.

But as of Friday it's been back to the worst kind of VBB cr@p :-(

Test run on 08/09/2008 @ 06:04 PM)]
Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 304.05 secs
Your line speed is 16 kbps (0.02 Mbps).
Your download speed is 2 KB/s (0 MB/s).

Test run on 08/09/2008 @ 06:12 PM)]
Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 474.77 secs
Your line speed is 10 kbps (0.01 Mbps).
Your download speed is 1 KB/s (0 MB/s).

9/8/2008 6:09:58 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 145 msecs
9/8/2008 6:10:13 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 763 msecs
9/8/2008 6:10:32 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 4877 msecs
9/8/2008 6:10:47 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 4068 msecs
9/8/2008 6:10:58 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 762 msecs
9/8/2008 6:11:13 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 810 msecs
9/8/2008 6:11:29 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 909 msecs
9/8/2008 6:11:51 PM – Cannot ping host (144.135.18.10) : Request timed out
9/8/2008 6:11:58 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 801 msecs
9/8/2008 6:12:13 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 799 msecs
9/8/2008 6:12:31 PM – Received 56 bytes from 144.135.18.10 in 3579 msecs

These tests done while waiting to get through to support ,it must be my lucky day i got through in just 20 mins.

I find that generally it works o.k during the day it just slows down and becomes pretty well unusable starting at around 5.00pm.The tech i spoke too agreed that it was network overload and he reckons there is an upgrade on in my area Sydney 2101 starting tomorrow, coincidence or what ?

Oh well can only cross everything pray to all the gods and hope for the best.And if that don`t work maybe i should get a mayan priest to sacrafice a virgin.

Can anyone from Oakford WA please post yer stats?

Looking at Mobile BB for my Sister who can't get ADSL.

...Thanks!

MS

For what it's worth: here's the latest test of Virgin Mobile's broadband connection using my Nokia N78 as a data modem.

The peak numbers are about a third out, I'd say, seeing that the d/l figures overed around the 6-700kb/s most of the time before shooting up to 900kb/s + right at the end...

Still, quite acceptable as a backup, or for casual use – my main worry would be the 1GB barrier on my plan!

Cheers,

LMH

[URL=http://www.speedtest.net/result/323129894.png[/IMG][/URL]

Here is my result for this afternoon,
Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 14/09/2008 @ 05:29 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 181.99 secs

Your line speed is 135 kbps (0.13 Mbps).
Your download speed is 17 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

Pretty woeful, but I'm happy because its the best its been for some time. LOL

Canberra 2602

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 15/09/2008 @ 05:44 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 80.3 secs

Your line speed is 305 kbps (0.31 Mbps).
Your download speed is 38 KB/s (0.04 MB/s).

Greenwood 6024

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 15/09/2008 @ 06:49 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 109.02 secs

Your line speed is 225 kbps (0.22 Mbps).
Your download speed is 28 KB/s (0.03 MB/s).

Darwin NT 0830

http://www.speedtest.net/result/323625518.png

800+

Gungahlin 2913

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 15/09/2008 @ 09:46 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 80.17 secs

Your line speed is 306 kbps (0.31 Mbps).
Your download speed is 38 KB/s (0.04 MB/s).

The congestion is building again. Added capacity now being soaked up by more users. <sigh>

Oh how the memories of the occaisional 700+ kbps speed test taunt me...

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 16/09/2008 @ 07:28 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 35.39 secs

Your line speed is 692 kbps (0.69 Mbps).
Your download speed is 87 KB/s (0.08 MB/s).

Not complaining about this of course. Still see some slow page loading at peak times but this seems a little better of late (maybe the neighbours are on holidays or have ditched their VBB@H).

Now back to dial-up speeds. I guess the Gungahlin capacity has been filled up with more products already. Didn't take them long...

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 16/09/2008 @ 08:19 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 316.16 secs

Your line speed is 77 kbps (0.08 Mbps).
Your download speed is 10 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Hi, I just did the speed test and these were the results.

Test run on 17/09/2008 @ 09:48 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 160.53 secs

Your line speed is 153 kbps (0.15 Mbps).
Your download speed is 19 KB/s (0.02 MB/s).

should i be concerned as these speeds seem far less that everybody elses.

Also has anyone had the problem of the internet being "On Hold" while using the phone, Virgin says that it is possible to use both but most the time when i make/receive a phone call i cannot use the net and the modem comes up with "On Hold" on the screen.

no-one-home writes...

should i be concerned as these speeds seem far less that everybody elses.

Also has anyone had the problem of the internet being "On Hold" while using the phone, Virgin says that it is possible to use both but most the time when i make/receive a phone call i cannot use the net and the modem comes up with "On Hold" on the screen.

Hi no-one-home, welcome to whirlpool. You should really drop this question into another thread such as "Virgin Broadband Network/Service Discussion" to remain on-topic for this thread – just a little whirlpool ettiquete. Having said that lets try and answer it here and risk the mod's deleting it ...<grin>

Yes, you should be concerned. It sounds like you are only getting GPRS signal (Mobile 2G) and not the UMTS/HSDPA (3G) coverage required for full speed and to be able to use the phone and the internet at the same time. Try locating your modem/router to a different location or orientation to try and get a UMTS/HSDPA signal.

no-one-home writes...

when i make/receive a phone call i cannot use the net and the modem comes up with "On Hold" on the screen

Welcome to WP :)

This is a sign that your modem is either on GPRS (which would explain the speed) or on what the modem decides is a marginal UMTS connection. The modem may then switch down into GPRS when a call comes through in an attempt to prevent a call dropping out (on GPRS the net wil be 'On Hold' during calls).

You need to see if you can get a UMTS signal. Look at the modem screen and press the button on the left. If the screen says GPRS in the left corner, you should try moving it (if connected wirelessly, try different locations in your house, if connected via ethernet cable try different orientations of the modem) to get as strong a UMTS signal as you can. The bars on the modem display give some indication of signal stregth and the management console on your computer will give you a signal stregth in dBm.

If you cannot get a UMTS signal this way or you can only get a weak one you can prevent the modem from using GPRS at all through the management console:

Management Console (browse to http://192.168.1.1)
Select Connection Settings
Select Network Connections
Select WAN Cellular
Click the Settings Button
Set Network Type to UMTS only
Set In case of inactivity, disconnect after (minutes) to 0
Click Apply to save the changes

You cannot do this while connected.

This will keep you on a UMTS/HSDPA connecion if there is one but if the signal is lost, instead of switching to GPRS you will lose the phone call or internet connection. Worth a try if your UMTS signal is not good.

Edit: Beat me to it Dancing Bear

AFCfan writes...

Edit: Beat me to it Dancing Bear

Yeah but your explanation is more detailed :)

Am I happy with Virgin?? NO.

I intend to change as soon as I come back from holidays.

For a system that is supposed to be continuously connected, I have to re connect at least 4 to 6 times a day.

And after 5:30 is slows right down. And if you are doing any peer to peer stuff, they throttle you back.

This is not what I signed up to.

Grumpy.

Test run on 22/09/2008 @ 01:04 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 8.9 secs

Your line speed is 549 kbps (0.55 Mbps).
Your download speed is 69 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Sheesen writes...

And if you are doing any peer to peer stuff, they throttle you back.

This is not what I signed up to.

Your other complaints are warranted but the above statement is simply not true. Throttling of peer to peer is exactly what you signed up for.

Victoria. 3156.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 23/09/2008 @ 08:57 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 39.8 secs

Your line speed is 123 kbps (0.12 Mbps).
Your download speed is 15 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

Greenwood WA6024

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 24/09/2008 @ 08:31 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 118.11 secs

Your line speed is 207 kbps (0.21 Mbps).
Your download speed is 26 KB/s (0.03 MB/s).

After 12 months I've finally had enough and in three weeks time I'll be Virginless.

Have now signed up to 3 for mobile broadband and organised the phone to be ported back to Telstra.

Speed test for 3 (let's hope it stays reliable and over 512kbps)
Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 24/09/2008 @ 08:39 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 19.84 secs

Your line speed is 1.23 Mbps (1235 kbps).
Your download speed is 154 KB/s (0.15 MB/s).

Victoria. 3156.
Really flying tonight. Three bars on HSDPA, I'm glad that it's not dropping back to GPRS! Would you believe pages loading slower than when I had dial-up. YES! Virgin's useless.
Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 24/09/2008 @ 09:19 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 126.08 secs

Your line speed is 39 kbps (0.04 Mbps).
Your download speed is 5 KB/s (0 MB/s).

Pages not loading at all now. Glad I didn't disconnect my Optus cable. Compare the two:

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 24/09/2008 @ 10:08 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 0.97 secs

Your line speed is 5.04 Mbps (5040 kbps).
Your download speed is 630 KB/s (0.62 MB/s).

Victoria. 3156.

Haven't changed a thing. Talk about inconsistant.

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 27/09/2008 @ 08:09 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 7.99 secs

Your line speed is 612 kbps (0.61 Mbps).
Your download speed is 76 KB/s (0.07 MB/s).

Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 29/09/2008 @ 09:40 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 105.94 secs

Your line speed is 46 kbps (0.05 Mbps).
Your download speed is 6 KB/s (0.01 MB/s).

How great is that, don't know why I am complaining ROFLMAO

ETA this is on HSDPA too

Hackett ACT
Test Results from Oz Broadband Speed Test
----------------------------------
Test run on 30/09/2008 @ 05:38 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 3 MB
Test Time: 51.94 secs

Your line speed is 472 kbps (0.47 Mbps).
Your download speed is 59 KB/s (0.06 MB/s).

Broadband Speed Test Results

Test run on 30/09/2008 @ 06:34 PM

Mirror: OptusNet
Data: 600 KB
Test Time: 11.04 secs

Your line speed is 442 kbps (0.44 Mbps).
Your download speed is 55 KB/s (0.05 MB/s).

easy done mate. To elaborate, this was my first ever post, so it's all spilt milk & splitting hairs to me.