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Jeffery_H

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Everything posted by Jeffery_H

  1. I was away a bit, but wanted to get back with you on this. No, I am simply a user as I do not own or work for the WISP. They are a rural co-op that also does satellite ISP for those out of wireless service. There are reasons I can't dig into this myself, mainly because I am not paid to do so. Also, not to sound arrogant in any way, but it is a fact that I seem to know a LOT more about networking, computers and technical issues in general than anyone there does. Even their installers will admit that as they simply put in the equipment and left it up to me to configure all my routers, switches, etc. They commented they had never seen such an elaborate setup. My computer science background lets me work from home but I don't have the time, capacity or man power to run an ISP myself. So like I said, I am limited in service. This is why I assumed they had some sort of service contract with whomever their 2 providers were and got technical help/support from them. When I told their tech guy at my WISP about it being a possible QOS core router issue he said "then what should my settings be then if they aren't correct?". I told him I had no way of knowing without seeing their equipment in person and would need to have specifics just as you mentioned in your post (providers names, type of lines coming in, brands and models of routers and servers, etc.) Frankly, I am uncertain as to their qualifications, level of education in the IT field, etc. Since I am not paid to work on it, nor is it my job or responsibility, I am forced to take whatever they decide to do to look into this. You would think that even from their standpoint they would want to know the QOS is balanced properly even for them to maximize efficiency of service. Bottom line is the answer I got was they would continue to look into it and I can only hope they know the right questions to ask when doing so, if they do. I would pine for service from cable in a big city but I know people that have 3-5 Mbps and have a LOT of issues too so the grass is not always greener on the other side. Without the details as you say, this is the best I can do unless you can think of another issue that may be worth looking into. Thanks for the info and replies.
  2. I spoke with the WISP and they are not limiting or prioritizing their download VS upload packets, at least they are aware of. Also, they said they were finding it difficult to believe it may be somewhere else because they spoke with someone that is not on their service at all and found the same discrepancy for download VS upload. However, as I pointed out, that would not rule out the possibility that at some point in the link for providers they aren't running into the same one, for example, if AT&T was the local WISP provider's main pipe and the person they spoke with OUTSIDE their service that's not in their chain but runs into AT&T at some point in their service is getting the same results like them because AT&T is in the link somewhere. Would that make sense or be possible? So, I asked them to provide the name of the companies, city and state of their providers but the person I spoke with for some odd reason didn't want to give it out. They did say they would talk with whomever I am working with to try to look into this more. I don't know if you, or one of the site owners would be willing to discuss the general theory of the QOS issue you bring up with them, but if so, please send me your email or contact info so I can have the local WISP speak with you. Like I said earlier, they are a very small provider so please if you reply explain in detail your thoughts and technical statements. I'm sure they would appreciate it. Thanks for the help.
  3. Can you elaborate in more detail on that statement so I can pass it along to my WISP? Why would QOS affect it that way? Is it truly limiting the speed of uploads or just appears so when doing speed tests? Why would another person NOT using any of their service be getting the same results on their end too? Since they seemed to not know about this setting or checking it, I assume it would be their service providers main pipe coming in to the WISP, Since they bypassed the transmitters and tested direct from their main office, would that mean it would be the QOS setting on their end, their service providers end or the customers end? Since you said "core routers" I would think their end or their providers since it appears all their customers are effected including themselves. Thanks for the reply and help, I am going to give this to my WISP to investigate once I get your reply to find out if it may be the cause.
  4. I have read several topics on this site about some users having trouble with valid tests showing correct results for their upload speeds. Most are not on a WISP but rather cable modem or DSL, so I need some feedback as to a possible cause. Here are the details. I have WISP because I'm in a very small rural area. We are VERY fortunate because it's the ONLY broadband available and took us nearly 8+ years to even get this service. My package with them is for 1.5Mbps but that's both download and upload. On my test results here, I am getting an accurate reading for the download, but the upload is WAY off showing only 1/3 approximate speed with an average of 500Kbps when it should show 1.5 or close there to. I have been talking with them and trying to figure out what's going on. They have 2 providers which they get their main backbone at their central office from and so far it seems like, according to their support, everything is working fine with no issues. However, they checked into it for me and it's not just myself or their transmitter in my home town as others are getting the same results as well regarding accurate download speed rating and 1/3 or less being reported on the upload. So, they checked on their end to see what they would get bypassing any WISP and just using their backbone at the HQ there. They were even worse percentage wise as they got 7.5Mbps (which is correct as that is the full bandwidth coming in direct before being distributed and sent out) but only 1.5Mbps upload. From what they see there, everything looks OK and the speed seems correct for the upload despite the numbers being so low. They have calls into the 2 providers they get their service from but said they should know if something was wrong or out since it's being monitored. They also took it one step further and contacted a person they knew with a fast connection that was not even a part of their WISP nor are they using their service or service providers and they too had slower upload results with accurate download. The trace route looks fine also with no obvious issues, time outs, etc. between here and testmy.net. So, I'm wondering what else it could be since we have exhausted pretty much everything in trying to find an answer as to the upload speed issue. Again, on the surface the WISP appears OK, no reports of trouble on the backbone from their providers (but they are double checking), all their WISP customers get the same results, at least one person not even on their service is getting the same thing. At first I thought it may have something to do with the fact it's a WISP service and something is just goofy in terms of accurate results, some sort of incompatibility, etc. but as you can see that doesn't seem to be the case at all. So, I'm throwing it out there to see if maybe someone has any thoughts on this. Thanks for any feedback.
  5. I was correct, the 48x accounts are better at this time and this may be why. Again, you get what you pay for. Here's a post from another forum on the subject explaining Starband working with their 48x account holders to improve things..... "They recently opend up a new subcluster on T-7 for 48x customers in an effort to get their speeds back up to where they should be. April will be a key month.....if they don't get things stabilized by the 2nd or 3rd week then there are more serious issues involved. Everything was going very very well right before the T-7 fiasco and the repoint hell.....so theoretically it should go back to that. The past 3 months have been an incredibly difficult time for everyone involved."
  6. Starband does not state any #,s just like Direcpc would not give any #,s in their FAP policy which is one reason they lost the class action lawsuit against them. Starband 484 has no FAP the 360 has a UPLOAD FAP of 500MB in a 7 day period. That is why they do not get sued for not having it in writing. Every service provider has this in their policy to cover them legally just in case they want to lower your speed which seams like they are doing with the DW 6000's. Perhaps Starband has recently began limiting some badwidth as well due to the crowding of space on their transponders available. While it's only a guess, it would explain the throttled down speeds some are reporting. Again, does anyone have news on their satellite that's supposed to be up in April or very soon? That should help BIG with their trouble some are reporting at this time. I'll try to find out more on it myself and post it here too. You can opt for a cheaper contract with Starband, but I wouldn't want to be locked in so either a 1 year or month-to-month fee of $150-$160 would be perfect for my needs.
  7. Mr Ranger: You quote validation, yet don't post any validation links which is very strange. Also, you fail yet again to adress what type of account you have. Failing time and again to read my posts, I think it will be impossible to communicate with you further on this matter. I have always said 484 ACCOUNTS ONLY for the information I provided. Obviously you DO NOT have the 484 account which validates what I was saying about them not having the priority or speeds of many (not all) that do have 484 accounts. I have posted a request and will be talking with my friends soon about getting some speed tests on their current 484 accounts, but I somehow doubt that will help you since again that does not apply to your account. Sorry, but you miss many of the posts I've already outlined about other factors regarding possible issues with your poor service. What satellite/transponder you are on? Have you checked your dish, wiring, etc? Is it grounded correctly and if so whom did it and when? etc. You will need to provide specifics if you want help, otherwise the posts you have made do nothing but ramble about poor service.
  8. Mr Ranger: You obviously didn't read my last post very close. I said a couple of those users were friends and I certainly TRUST them over you. So please refrain from making assumptions about the validity of the data I receive. Also, in regard to the money, a T1 would cost me $800 MONTHLY as I pointed out twice now. So the cost of equipment and $150/month service is CHEAP in comparison so I fail to see your point of the spending issue. Bottom line is your opinion is your own and I was just pointing out many are HAPPY with their service. But buy what you want where you want, it makes no difference to me. Wild Blue may in fact be better, but it's still not a viable option yet. Vern: I thought Starband was going to have a new satellite up in April or so to handle all this and the outage issues. "they should have a new sat just east of GE-4 by april" is what one 484 customer said last month. Are they not getting that ready still? What's the latest news on that and the transponders? I would be courious myself to know the current status on them.
  9. I wanted to reply to my last post. Vern: It would seem like you could be a shill too given your stance on not believing and accusing somone when the facts are not known. In case you didn't read very clearly my last post, I mentioned Wild Blue. So, to go on record I don't care what you or anyone else buys, be it Starband, DirecWay, Wild Blue or company X. Buy whatever you choose and like and I'll do the same. What I was trying to point out is that I know 5 people with 484 Starband business accounts that are STILL getting excellent performance. I will ask for some test scores from them and post them here when I get them. Some of them are on another popular web site and a couple of others are on an overclocking site so it may take a little time. But I will try to get them posted here when possible, it may take a several weeks though since we do have other things to do. All I can say is that I have no reason to doubth them and two I know personally. Like it or not, it does depend upon what package you have. What I'm referring to is the Starband 484 package that has already been mentioned in my previous post. The other lower end packages are having trouble at this time, but the 484 seems to be a higher priority for them to keep those customers happy. Mr Ranger: You said "Try plunking down $800.00 for equipment up front for the privilege of being under contract for additional $70.00 every month. " You didn't read my last post very carefully. The price you quoted would be a drop in the bucket for me because my only other choice is a fractioned T1 that would cost $800 PER MONTH. So, the cost for equipment, setup, replacments, and monthly fees even at $150-$160 monthly with NO CONTRACT would be a very viable option for me in comparison. What I said about Starband does NOT apply for anyone other than those with 484 accounts. I have heard of problems with the less expensive accounts as you point out. Since you say you are paying only $70/month, then it's not a 484 account. Even those with DirecWay report getting better performance and service from the high-end office accounts as opposed to any of their cheaper packages. While there are issues with both the 484 and DirecWay office accounts too, they are still better performance in that tier. For example, if 3xx users are reporting 70kbs, then 484 users almost always report 150+kbs. Same with DirecWay, speeds are almost always better with the higher end packages (not always, but most times). It also depends upon your repoint, how it was installed, cables used, proper grounding, etc. Details are very important, rather than some saying simply "stay away", which is still a good chuckle (it gives no details). Buy what you want, where you want, DirecWay, StarBand, Wild Blue or company X. I will be going 484 or Wild Blue myself this Summer and will let you know how things pan out. In the mean time, I'll try to get reports on both the 484 and DirecWay office packages and post them. Best of luck.
  10. I get a chucklle when I read comments like "stay away" with no details to back it up. It all depends upon what your options are and if you have none besides dial-up. Also, the exact same thing can be said about DirecWay according to some that aren't happy either. Bottom line is you must know what you are getting going into it and not expect it to be something it's not. Plus, a LOT depends upon the package you have. Both Starband and DirecWay have better performance with their most expensive package. Bottom line is that just like everything else you pay for what you get. Granted, satellite ISP is at least 3X what you would pay for a similar DSL/Cable connection. However even paying the high-end of $150/month with no contract with Starband is still a much more viable option than a T1. For example, my ONLY choices here are dial-up, satellite or T1. A fractioned 256 T1 costs $800 per month from AT&T which was the cheapest contract offer I could get. Sprint is the ONLY other service that would run a T1 for me and their contract was not as good as AT&T. My point is, all of this boils down to what your options are and what would be reasonable in comparison to it. For me, even $150-200 would be cheap compared to a T1 option. Others may have other choices, but you must do your own research to find out exactly what your limitations are and get CONTRACT BIDS if considering T1. Many users are VERY happy with their Starband 484 service level. It would seem from the feedback of the users I know that have it, this is the way to go. It has NO FAP and the speeds are much better than their other packages due to it being a higher tier of service and pricing. Here is some 484 examples: :::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 1003 Kbps about 1 Mbps (tested with 1496 KB) Download Speed is:: 122 KB/s Tested From::
  11. Here's some info that may be of interest from another user: "I have no problem streaming but starband is updating T-7 sat and are overcrowd on GE-4,so some may be having some trouble. They are trying to move people from GE-4 to T-7 which is going to help. Also they should have a new sat just east of GE-4 by april." Starband, from what I've read on other sites, is one of the best out there and better than DirecWay due to their FAP policy. The most you can get with their SOHO package is 500MB, though up to 800MB can be had going through a VAR. Most people as a rule are more happy with Starrband than Direcway/ One thing to keep in mind is something that's been discussed in lenght on another site, proper installation and GROUNDING. While other services are coming this year, Wild Blue and Sky America, they are unproven since no one actually is using them yet. Plus, if you read their FAQs, not much different overall. Note how Sky Amerrica quotes their download/upload speeds, but read carefully and you will find that's the MODEM specs, NOT the actual user specs for what you will get. While they don't actually lie about their service, you do have to read it several times for the fine print and understand how to read exactly word-for-word their statements. Hopefully the new satellite and T-7 changes will help some because I don't think you will get a whole lot better. Satellite ISP is after all the nature of the beast and some things just can't be done due to their orbit and distance of travel.
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