frodoboy

I just switched from Wild Blue (HughesNet before that) to Wireless. I took the 2mb plan for $69/month. It was costing me $79/month for WB which always gave me consistent download speed of around 1.5mbps but max upload usually around 175kbps with a latency average of 1-1.5 seconds. If it rained fairly heavy, the signal vanished! I am out in the country and didn't have a choice until now. Now I have line of sight less than 3 miles away from the access point and supposedly NO problems with rain, snow or wind. Here are my scores: :::.. testmy.net test results ..::: Download Connection is:: 1827 Kbps about 1.83 Mbps (tested with 3072 kB) Download Speed is:: 223 kB/s Upload Connection is:: 1785 Kbps about 1.8 Mbps (tested with 2992 kB) Upload Speed is:: 218 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net (Main) Test Time:: 2009/11/04 - 1:01pm D-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-MPLYQ7S21 U-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-RWIM5EBVF User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.4) Gecko/20091016 Firefox/3.5.4 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) [!] Not bad and it's about time! I've waited over10 years for a fast internet connection and now I have it and am in heaven!!!

I've been waiting for almost 15 years for a faster connection than satellite so I think I am finally due before I bite the dust! Couple more years and I probably won't even remember what the internet is!! LOL

Ok, as promised, here are my scores at 6:02pm PST Monday, October 26, 2009 during Prime Time. :::.. testmy.net test results ..::: Download Connection is:: 1465 Kbps about 1.47 Mbps (tested with 1536 kB) Download Speed is:: 179 kB/s Upload Connection is:: 146 Kbps about 0.1 Mbps (tested with 386 kB) Upload Speed is:: 18 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net (Main) Test Time:: 2009/10/26 - 6:59pm D-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-JTK9RG86Y U-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-PKYZQ4128 User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) Gecko/20090824 Firefox/3.5.3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) [!] This is pretty much what I always got on DL and UL. I've never really had a problem with slower DL times but the upload has always sucked! Here are my scores with my new wireless connection. :::.. testmy.net test results ..::: Download Connection is:: 1659 Kbps about 1.66 Mbps (tested with 1536 kB) Download Speed is:: 203 kB/s Upload Connection is:: 1903 Kbps about 1.9 Mbps (tested with 5983 kB) Upload Speed is:: 232 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net (Main) Test Time:: 2009/10/26 - 7:08pm D-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-VP1FWI6LK U-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-89E31J07N User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) Gecko/20090824 Firefox/3.5.3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) [!] I guess it is a NO BRAINER!!! Patrick

Yeah it was the pro package. I wasn't logged in when I did the test and I guess I never logged in when I did the other tests over the last couple of years. It doesn't even show the (probably) hundreds of DirecWay tests I did 2-5 years ago. The system is still up and running, just not plugged in so I can easily run a speed test when logged in and see what happens and then post it for you. I think I am on the Stockton? beam in California but I don't remember which satellite. I'm sure WB has oversold it ever since they teamed up with DirecTV. I wonder who dumped who (HugesNet and DirecTV) in that deal with HugesNet?? Maybe DirecTV got tired of all the complaints from HughesNet customers? Of course now they have to put up with complaints from all the WB customers. LOL.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the vacation thing. I wonder if they did discontinue it. More than likely!

the autotest is from this site. It is the one where testmy starts with a smaller file and keeps testing until it takes longer than 7 seconds to download. Then it gives the results. I could reconnect the WildBlue hardware and do the test during prime time for you. It wouldn't be that hard to do. I quit posting once I got Wild Blue because my speeds were as promised most of the time and most people post speeds because they are pissed off. If I remember, I will do the test tomorrow around 5pm and then post it here with the rest of the testmy info. The speeds I posted already however were the top numbers in the typical test results.

I have always had consistent 1.5mbps download speeds all times of the day. That is why I tolerated WB. The upload speed was never 256kbps but since the DL was consistent, I didn't look around. Here are the last test results I did just before the wireless was installed. I tested the ping rate as well. Then I will show the results of the wireless tests. They have to come out tomorrow and put another transmitter up pointing in my direction. Right now I am on the end of a 180 degree arc but with the new transmitter, I will be right in the center and speeds will stay consistent and the ping time will drop. Some times the wireless gives me 2mbps up and down and sometimes it only gives me 500 up and down but that is STILL faster than WB just for basic page loading with very low ping times. Here are my last WB test results done at around 1pm PST on Friday, October 23rd. The wireless tests were done at around 3pm PST. Auto test results for Wild Blue Download: 1447 Kbps or 1.45 Mbps (177 kB/s) Upload: 141 Kbps or 0.1 Mbps (17 kB/s) Ping results (Google.com) Pinging google.com [74.125.45.100] with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=1837ms TTL=47 Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=1535ms TTL=47 Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=1536ms TTL=47 Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=1535ms TTL=47 Ping statistics for 74.125.45.100: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 1535ms, Maximum = 1837ms, Average = 1610ms Auto test results for Surfnet Wireless Download :: 1900 Kbps or 1.9 Mbps (232 kB/s) Upload :: 1751 Kbps or 1.8 Mbps (214 kB/s) Ping Results (Google.com) Pinging google.com [74.125.67.100] with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 74.125.67.100: bytes=32 time=73ms TTL=49 Reply from 74.125.67.100: bytes=32 time=80ms TTL=49 Reply from 74.125.67.100: bytes=32 time=76ms TTL=49 Reply from 74.125.67.100: bytes=32 time=79ms TTL=49 Ping statistics for 74.125.67.100: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 73ms, Maximum = 80ms, Average = 77ms

This is great and so typical. I just got wireless internet with 2mbps download and 2mbps upload for $69/month. I've had Wild Blue for years and have been fairly happy. The download has always been consistent at 1.5mbps and the upload never seemed to get past 175kbps. Before Wild Blue I had DirecPC/DirecWay/Hughes Net and you all know where that went! I called and asked how many days I had to give them to disconnect. The tech told me only about 3 days and if I did get charged for the next month, it would be pro rated. That wasn't a problem at all. I told him I am going to leave it connected until I'm sure the wireless works great (so far it is kicking ASS!) Then I told him that just in case the WISP went out of business or I was really dissatisfied down the road, I was going to leave the Wild Blue dish on my roof. I purchased the system when I got it so I wouldn't be locked into a 2 year contract just in case something like wireless came along. I said "I assume all I'd have to do is call Wild Blue and get the old system recommissioned since you've never have upgraded the hardware since my system." The guy said "oh no, you'll have to lease all new equipment and sign up for a 24 month contract!" I asked him why I had to lease equipment I already own. He told me because leased equipment will have a 24 month warranty so if anything breaks, it will be fixed for free. I said "my system has NEVER had a problem and my hardware is the same hardware you'd have to 'reinstall' on my roof and why I would need to take my good system down and have the SAME system put back up on my roof?" He said "we don't sell systems anymore. We only lease them." I said "yeah but that is a waste to have to put this one in a landfill because you simply won't turn it back on." He said something like "I understand your frustration." Obviously he has already run into this situation already. I can't believe (well, maybe I can) that they would not simply flip a damn switch to recommission my system. I hope to hell that the wireless company stays in business and my service stays strong until AT&T eventually puts DSL out here (they've been saying that for the last 9 years!). Just thought I'd let off some steam and let anyone else considering dropping Wild Blue with the possibility of reinstating it in the future what they are up against if they own their own equipment.

I got Wildblue Tuesday (August 15) after 10 years with DirecPC, DirecWay, HughesNet and total frustration. The download speeds averaged 250-500kbps most of the time even though I was on the pro package. Uploads averaged in the high hundreds to 200kbps most of the time. I like to download so this really sucked. I turned them into the FCC, Attorney General and BBB for false advertising and their ads were slightly changed to refect a more correct statement about speeds. I was credited with 2 months free service but it has gone downhill since then. I can't understand the foreign tech staff either!! Anyway, the tech installed the system with no problems. We ran the download test and it topped at 1.5mbps. I was impressed. Then we ran the upload test and it was 145kbps. He told me it would probably take a while for the uploads to speed up. I thought "uhhuh..." He left and then I ran several more tests throughout the day. The uploads got slower and slower so I called tech support. The technician was really nice and spoke perfect English...a welcome relief. We ran many tests and the download and upload got slower and slower. The download speed was around 200kbps and the upload slowed to 39kbps. Sounded a LOT like Direcway. Then the tech told me to give it about 3 days and it didn't get any better, to call back and they would send someone out..."uhhuh..." Anyway, I ran the tests into the early evening and then things started speeding up. The uploads around 10pm were up to 200kbps which were acceptable. I ran the tests this morning and was quite happy with the results. I knew the real test would be when I got home this evening during prime time when direcway slows to a crawl. Here are the results: :::.. testmy.net test results ..::: Download Connection is:: 9915 Kbps about 9.92 Mbps (tested with 12160 kB) Download Speed is:: 1210 kB/s Upload Connection is:: 210 Kbps about 0.21 Mbps (tested with 386 kB) Upload Speed is:: 26 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net (Server 2) Test Time:: 2006/08/16 - 9:25pm D-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-AVJPFKLQH U-Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-6V7K8IHO4 User Agent:: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; InfoPath.1) [!] Wow!!! 9915 kbps!!! That is faster than cable! Obviously that is an error. For some reason testmy keeps giving me an outrageous download speed. With other tests, it runs right at 1500kbps. The upload speed is quite acceptable for me. It has varried between 190-260kbps. If this range is maintained over the next month I will be happy. If it fluctuates as so many of you complain about, then I will probably go back to Direcway which I do not have any contract with. I don't want to get locked into a one year WildBlue plan if it is going to jump all over the place.

Well, if it does work out, you will see a change in Dway's web page advertising! It will have to put in bolder print the actual typical speeds expected in prime time as between 250-500 and 50-100. Let's hope that happens! I did get the credit to my account however so now I have had 4 months credit. It can be done! Maybe if enough of us fight to get the credit from deceptive advertising, they would improve the system!

I finally got a call today from Dway corporate office concerning my grievance filed with the BBB. I actually got somewhere! He told me Dway does NOT guarantee any speeds and 100 to 500 down and 50 to 100 up is the norm!!! I said where the hell is that written and he told me in the user agreement. I said in the facs it states that the pro system can see speeds of around 750-800 and 100-125 during peak hours...nowhere does it state 100-500. He said it states "up to" these speeds in the agreement. I told him it was false advertising and wanted it changed. I also said every single tech has a different excuse and solution as to why Dway is so slow but it is usually on OUR end. He said he would bring it up at the board meeting this week. I also said I wanted the website to clearly state that average speeds during peak hours are only going to be between 100-500 and 50-100 instead of the totally false 750-800 and 100-125. He said he would bring that up. He was not a tech or even a level two tech but an exec at the corporate office. I would not close the BBB complaint until this is all corrected and the misleading information is fixed on the website so who knows???? He gave me two free months of service and said he would be getting back to me to see how everything is but it was MY misunderstanding about the "blazing fast internet speeds (directv ads)" and the "improved performance" boasts on the Dway site. I disagreed and said the ads were misleading and outright lies and I will not close the BBB complaint until this is adressed for new, unsuspecting souls who get roped into that 2 year contract and a $700 penalty for early termination. It is DWay who is breaking the contract by deceptive advertising and not the poor consumer who buys into it. I am hoping so badly that the wireless carrier in my area will be out next week to add a node to the tower 5 miles from my house so I can get 1mbps up and down by the end of the month!!! I will keep you all posted. Yesterday during prime time my speeds dropped to 350/86 on AMC9....

I was being a little sarcastic but Dway HAS bought out sites where speed tests are run and there are forums where people constantly complain...why wouldn't people complain? I mean if you had such a horrendous service and you wanted people to be happily duped, why wouldn't you pad the test scores??? I didn't really mean Dway bought testmy...but it has happened! The big question is how testmy does the speed test. Do they use a text file, graphics file, a combination or what? If you run the largest text only file on toast.net, you will be amazed! If you run the largest graphics only, you will be disappointed! If testmy changed the parameters of the download test so it is less processor intensive, the test speeds will go up. At least I think this is the way it works. If you try this yourself and download a large text file from a web site and then download a similar sized graphics file from the same web site, the graphics file will take longer to download if it is opened on your computer as it is downloading. This, to me, is the true test of speed since web pages don't download completely before you can see them. If they did, you would have a blank screen but then presto! My speeds are back up now but they definitely still drop off during prime time but not as bad as with satmex5

Please don't forget that these speed bursts only seem affected on testmy.net. If you run a test on dslreports.com or toast.net/performance where you can actually SEE what you are downloading, you will find your speeds that are 1300kbps on testmy are actually around 800kbps on the others which makes sense. I don't know why we would be getting these speeds on testmy unless direcway bought them out and is fudging the tests or they just happen to be connected to a really good backbone right now. I don't see any improvement in web browsing or latency anywhere else...only on testmy.net. My speeds tongiht suck but they are still better than Satmex5!!! :::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 674 Kbps about 0.7 Mbps (tested with 2992 kB) Download Speed is:: 82 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net Test Time:: Wed Feb 15 18:30:39 PST 2006 Bottom Line:: 12X faster than 56K 1MB download in 12.49 sec Diagnosis: May need help : running at only 74.56 % of your hosts average (direcpc.com) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-O24BP973X :::.. Upload Stats ..::: Connection is:: 56 Kbps about 0.1 Mbps (tested with 579 kB) Upload Speed is:: 7 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net Test Time:: Wed Feb 15 18:33:01 PST 2006 Bottom Line:: 1X faster than 56K 1MB upload in 146.29 sec Diagnosis: May need help : running at only 70.89 % of your hosts average (direcpc.com) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-0KXICDFUS

I can just see what's coming Birdfan. VFAP! You are on the phone for an hour and a voice interrupts your conversation: "I'm sorry, but you have used too much bandwidth with this conversation so we will have to cut out every other word you speak. If you continue to use the phone, we will be forced to cut out every other sentence until your conversation is reduced to one word every 30 seconds, which MAY impair the conversation to the point that you will have to hang up and wait several hours at which time your full service will be restored. We hope this doesn't inconvenience you, especially if you are in a life or business-changing conversation or if this is an emergency. If this is a problem, you can always switch to a more 'professional' plan where you can talk 'a little bit longer' without being restricted by VFAP. Thank you for you understanding in this matter and thanks so very much for using Direcway VOIP!"

My "fantastic" speeds went all to hell about 2 hours ago as well. Lots of "impaired" and no service at all. I finally got a speed test done a while ago and here are the results. The upload really sucks! 2/14/06 8:30 pm :::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 1330 Kbps about 1.3 Mbps (tested with 2992 kB) Download Speed is:: 162 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net Test Time:: Tue Feb 14 20:23:06 PST 2006 Bottom Line:: 24X faster than 56K 1MB download in 6.32 sec Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 47.12 % faster than the average for host (direcpc.com) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-509746DI2 :::.. Upload Stats ..::: Connection is:: 55 Kbps about 0.1 Mbps (tested with 579 kB) *****SUCKS***** Upload Speed is:: 7 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net Test Time:: Tue Feb 14 20:51:30 PST 2006 Bottom Line:: 1X faster than 56K 1MB upload in 146.29 sec Diagnosis: May need help : running at only 69.62 % of your hosts average (direcpc.com) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-R4E7PVS29