Revealed: How 100 Mbps broadband will rock your world

By Ry Crozier on Jul 16, 2010 6:00 AM
Filed under Telco/ISP

Makes you want the NBN.

Residents at Point Cook near Melbourne have stopped queuing large downloads and started bringing on-demand movies down the pipe in under 15 minutes after swapping "abysmal" ADSL1 connections for superfast broadband.

Three of the 1,500 residents in the coverage area of Telstra's fibre-to-the-home (FttH) trial network have spoken to iTnews about their experiences.

In doing so, they've answered a recurring question for the National Broadband Network (NBN) - just what will people do with 100 Mbps?

"I can completely understand why the NBN should go ahead," resident Paul Hart said.

"The internet's a completely different place once you've got 100 Mbps. Once you've got the speed you utilise it.

"Without a doubt it's a good thing."

Hart traded his Telstra-provisioned 1.5 Mbps ADSL1 service for a 100 Mbps, 60 GB plan from ISP Internode about a month ago.

"I just decided I'd go the whole hack [with 100 Mbps]," he said.

Hart said having 100 Mbps had changed what he could accomplish by working from home.

Low ping times had enabled him to take up online gaming again, and he was also taking advantage of streaming TV, starting with unmetered ABC iView "to a media PC in the lounge room".

"We'll also look at the FetchTV service," Hart said.

Another resident, Josh Craig, similarly traded his 1.5 Mbps ADSL1 connection for a 100 Mbps Internode connection, albeit with a lower 30 GB monthly quota.

Craig was also taking advantage of unmetered streamed content via Internode.

"I no longer venture down to the video store to hire a video," Craig said.

"We have a TiVo and a CASPA [on-demand video rental] account.

"The largest [download] speed reduction occurring is because of the [wireless] connector that TiVo has. [But] even [then], the movie transfers usually in 14 or 15 minutes."

Craig said 100 Mbps fibre meant he no longer had to "ration simultaneous connections" in the house. It meant he could work from home via VPN while other family members watched iView or played World of Warcraft - with "no lag, no disconnections, [and] no staggered picture".

Habits change

Both Craig and Hart said that having 100 Mbps had changed their internet habits.

"What changes are your habits when downloading," Hart said.

"You don't queue stuff overnight and let it trickle down."

Rather Hart said the speed let him download things quickly, when he wanted them.

Craig said 100 Mbps had made patching home computers easier.

"All of our computers are set to automatically download patches from Microsoft now and apply," he said.

"I had to do it manually before when no one else was using the ‘net to avoid arguments over lag."

Only one resident iTnews spoke to said his internet habits "haven't changed much, if at all."

Milosh [surname withheld] traded his ADSL connection for a fibre one with his existing provider - ISP Exetel.

Quota watching

There was a mixed response on whether users had to watch their download quotas to ensure they weren't burning through them in minutes.

"We could burn through the month's allocation in less than an hour," Craig said, although he had installed the Internode iPhone app to monitor usage.

"[You] have to [monitor usage]."

Milosh said his monthly downloads - between 30 GB and 50 GB per month - hadn't changed since going to fibre.

"I haven't had the need to really monitor my quota," Milosh said.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Telstra's latest figures for Point Cook indicate about 300 of the 1,500 residents in the coverage area have taken up its retail broadband services.

ISP Exetel has another 63 customers; Internode didn't reveal figures but said its numbers were "enough... to form a valid set of test cases".

Hart reported seeing "a lot of Telstra vans around" the neighborhood, suggesting the network was seeing good take-up.

"Anyone who's a power user on the internet will get it if they can," he said, believing others would stick with their ADSL connections.

Craig said he had neighbours "who are professionals and studying and like me they were very fast to take the service up."

"They love it," he said. "It beats the unstable wireless that many of us had before."

Still others hadn't taken up fibre services, he said.

"General consensus from catching up with friends is that [the network] needs to be rolled out across the suburb," Craig said.

"Those that have missed out are still very congested and struggle with working from home."

Are you on the Point Cook network? Tell us your story.

Revealed: How 100 Mbps broadband will rock your world

22 comments in this discussion

"@FLashy, where did you get the idea that "NBN is only for Home owners"?? Not even for renters? C'mon, you don't really believe that business will somehow be excluded from the network, do you? ..."

By anonymous

Tags

100, mbps, fibre, internet, broadband, point, cook, telstra, internode, exetel, isp, nbn

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Comments: 22

Bazwalt Jul 16, 2010 8:18 AM	"What changes are your habits when downloading," Hart said. "You don't queue stuff overnight and let it trickle down." "We could burn through the month's allocation in less than an hour," Craig said, although he had installed the Internode iPhone app to monitor usage. Bit contradictory - The whole point of queuing things isn't so much about the speed as it is about the quota. I have ADSL2+ now and I could certainly download everything I need reasonably fast...but I don't...because of quota limitations. And to be quite frank..30-60GB for 100Mbps FTTH is pretty crappy. "The internet's a completely different place once you've got 100 Mbps. Once you've got the speed you utilise it." The above quote is the EXACT reason why ISPs need to allocate more data...I'm sorry - but the current quotas for FTTH need to be improved because they are pathetic.
rycrozier Jul 16, 2010 8:32 AM	@Bazwalt - you're not comparing like-like. I believe the reason he had to queue stuff is because he lived in an area dubbed one of Australia's broadband blackspots. He described the service as "abysmal". If you're on a cruddy connection big downloads are as much about speed as quota. He doesn't say anywhere his quota was inadequate. I can understand your situation is about quota because you already (presumably) get good speeds from 2+.
Digger11 Jul 16, 2010 8:56 AM	Hmmm, Strange Article, I do everything the 100Mbps users do on an IPrimus ADSL2+ Big Kahuna Plan. I think the users are getting download limits confused with speed ??? We have 4 users in my house and never need to ration the use of ADSL2+ - in fact when we had standard ADSL from Telstra running at 1.5Mbps we never had to time share the use of the net then either. It's a bit like the bloke who spends his money on the latest Mercedes, he's always going to justify why it is better than a Commodore, when in reality it is only fiddling with the margins.
djzort Jul 16, 2010 9:41 AM	having 100mbps will just make files larger. 256/512/1.5 adsl was amazingly fast compared to dial up - but now its slow. 100mbps will only change peoples habits for 12 months, then page impressions will be like 10-20meg, audio files will be 5.1dts, movie files will be full hi-def. additionally, regardless of your connection - the other end needs to be connected at speeds beyond 100mbs and your internet provider needs to manage congestion properly. a quick survey will reveal that few people are maxing out their adsl or dsl2 connections, without downloading a number of things simultaneously.
Cham Jul 16, 2010 9:51 AM	I think some ADSL2+ users have forgotten what bad internet is like. From what the users are saying, it very much is about the speed and quality of their connection, not the quota they are being given. I live in an area unserviced by ADSL2+, however I am lucky enough to be able to get 8000kbps ADSL1 from my provider, and that speed alone changed the way I used the internet (from my previous 1500kbps connection), so I would definitely agree that faster speeds change the way you use the internet. I also agree with Bazwalt on the need for a higher quota on the plans, I'm already over 60Gb this month. That being said, my current 8Mbps plan, with 100Gb quota is actually on par with Internodes 100Mbps plan with 100Gb quota, so I could even end up saving money if I kept my existing quota and didn't go for the maximum speed possible, or double my quota for a slight increase in cost and still get faster speeds. All that being said, I don't expect NBN to come to my neighbourhood before my child (who isn't born yet) goes to school, so it's really not something I'm holding my breath for.
MerariSchroeder Jul 16, 2010 9:54 AM	"stopped queuing large downloads" @rycrozier "I believe the reason he had to queue stuff is because he lived in an area dubbed..." Why would he have queued stuff, if he had enough allowance? Wouldn't he just continuously download? People only queue downloads even of ADSL1 to take advantage of off-peak download volumes. Also, it should have been mentioned that NBNCo are expecting most people to go for the 25Mbps plans, which are price comparative to ADSL2+. And that they believe that 25Mbps is enough.
umbria Jul 16, 2010 12:30 PM	Thanks for the early insights, Ry, and keep 'em coming! The rest of us are all getting quite envious.
midspace Jul 16, 2010 12:47 PM	@Bazwalt . It's a trial. Expect plans and prices to change in the future when they (ISP's) learn more about usage patterns. Have been on 1500/256 for years I've always found sharing the connection has always been an issue. And now with youtube and HD video, it's even worse. In two weeks I'll finally be migrated to ADSL2+, but it'll only mean an upgrade to 3500Kbps. Why? because of the distance to the exchange. Too many homes suffer from either no ADSL2 enabled exchanges or live too far away from the exchange for it to be of any use. Bring on the FTTH I say. And on the article, why don't we hear more on why some of these people in the trial areas aren't taking up the NBN? Go interview them and find out why! I find it hard to belive that price is the only thing standing in their way from changing from Dialup/ADSL/ISDN/Cable to NBN, as there are some very compedative deals.
blasdf Jul 16, 2010 12:48 PM	@all you guys. When you reach 60GB or 100GB what have you downloaded? I've been on Telstra 30mbps home cable plans for like 2 years and I don't queue stuff. I can max out my connection and get a 5GB file downloaded in circa 20mins. I had this discussion with the the guys at work not lucky enough to have a 30mbps connection previously, all who queue, fill up 1TB hard drives. And I realised, the caps should stay and promote better downloading habits. For example. 1 guy downloads all the latest xbox games, all the movies, tv shows, music albums. Shows off the 1TB hard drive to everyone. Does he play all the games, listen to all the music, watch all the tv shows....yes possibly, but in that same month period...no. I have 100GB a month and I find that is almost perfect for me, could go 200GB as I'll explain after. I work in IT, I do download, I play Xbox live heaps and I find 100GB is large enough for me to get stuff on demand that I want. Want an HD Movie, download in 20mins, could start it, go get some pizza or maccas, come back done. Want music, instant on iTunes. People are in the old school habits of queueing and downloading heaps because the slow days you had to. but when you can get stuff on demand, there is no need to download big collections of crap that just wastes bandwidth, hdd space and will never be viewed within the monthly period. This leads to lower download limits needed, because you aren't trying to cram your HDD fill of crap for later. In saying that, sure if I was getting 1080p movies at 7-11GB each, that would give me roughly 10 movies a month. Doesn't sound like much. But then look at your usual daily behaviour. I have a home cinema and love movies, yet I find myself not watching movies every night like I originally thought I would, instead watching TV, browsing the Internet and playing Xbox Live, going for a run. Movies come out more in the weekend if I'm not out drinking, and usually I find I've seen soo many movies now that I couldn't watch a new movie every night unless I watched crap. end of the day, download what you need on demand, don't download files for later....that wastes bandwidth. you'll find it's quite hard to fill 100 or 200GB a month for home personal use that you will actually use in that period.
realitybites Jul 16, 2010 1:18 PM	Just to provide an insight from the other side of the fence. I am a content provider in regional QLD. I'm looking forward to the NBN not from a downloading perspective, but from an outbound perspective. Due to the way the telecommunications industry is setup, I have multiple connections that I manage on a constant basis via both load balancing and packet marking. I'm not complaining, I make do with the resources available to me to the best of my ability. I already have fibre installed to the home (home business) but am unable to make use of it due to excessive costs. It was installed years ago for Digital Signal Processors (56k modems) and is now redundant in that aspect. The thought of having 100Mb outbound makes me drool about how I could grow my business.. I'll happily pay a premium price for it as well, as long as it is not that expensive that it places me back in exactly the same position as I'm in now. Just my two bob's worth.. Flame away if you feel it necessary :) [EDIT:] and now the forum regulars here also know a little more about me :) Edited by realitybites: 16/7/2010 01:23:07 PM
blasdf Jul 16, 2010 3:06 PM	Yeah @realitybites, i think you are one of the people with a legit reason to have a higher usage limit, even if it is a business use and the costs reflect changes in business plans. I realise the cost, although i don't have fibre at home, i have it at the office through telstra 100mbps as well that is also used to host about 70 commercial websites turning over $200+AU million a year, so i understand the need for cheaper business plans if you are not turning over that kind of amount in a smaller business. I was really stating, someone like BazWalt would realise once downloading behaviour changes and people only get stuff on demand, the usage limits don't have to be unlimited and can be increased with reasonable reasons to say 100-200GB a month. As long as say certain HDTV, HD Movie, high bandwidth servies that people will eventually move to have the option to become exempt from download limits, such as Telstra T Box with Bigpond connections for example. Where as I was referring to content that isn't exempt and most likely covers a user that demands a higher usage, someone downloading files that aren't exempt would find it hard to gain 100-200GB a month for content they need and would use, and not stock piling. But anyway, good luck with the NBN benefiting your business. I should review if I will get benefits, but I don't think Verizon would change their prices for me.
Miyagi Jul 16, 2010 3:53 PM	Paul Hart here. The NBN isn't going to revolutionise those with DSL2+ / cable services... it simply isn't. Those on these services need to realise they are the very lucky few (as am I now). It will however have a watershed effect for those on 1.5Mbps (or below) services. I agree that download limits will need to be higher looking ahead particularly as I start venturing into international content (ie NBA League Pass when it's back) but that is all part of me better utilising the internet. Thankfully Internode have both game servers, iView and other content based services coming online that don't hurt my metered usage... I would have done significantly more data had this been counted. Exetel and Internode users are utilising the same infrastructure over VERY different types of plans. Internode is the traditional quota based approach (so you use it specifically) whereas Exetel is pay as you go so naturally you're not really going go overboard... I found myself with double the quota so it's a kid in the candy store scenario for the time being. That said, I suspect in the next few months I'll probably look to drop the connection down to 50Mbps with a higher d/l limit. Cheers, Paul
Pik0 Jul 16, 2010 11:54 PM	@MerariSchroeder The reason they were queuing downloads wasn't only to take advantage of offpeak speeds. It was also so they weren't chewing up all the bandwidth while other people aren't using it. If only only have 150KBps or so to play with, if you start downloading something large your going to slow the internet down to a point where it becomes unusable to everyone else. The NBN negates this.
CF- Jul 17, 2010 1:19 AM	@Miyagi : If you're aiming at sticking to the same budget then you can go as wild on Exetel as you can on Internode. If you aren't a big user of the mirror or things like iView, or you are a big torrenter trying to keep good ratios then Exetel allows you to do more for your money. 100GB is $150 (bundled) at Internode and $130 at Exetel - or for that $150 you can get 140GB with Exetel. Exetel don't count uploads and you aren't stuck paying for quota you don't end up using.
Paul K Jul 17, 2010 6:38 AM	I wonder how long it will be till TPG starts offering plans. Traditionally TPG relys on low margins and large download limits to differentiate itself from other ISPs. Might make other Companies start to be a little competitive on download limits, if they want to remain after the trial moves to normalicy.
djzort Jul 17, 2010 5:28 PM	The biggest problem with NBN is that its wholesale costs will always be the lower limit of what you're paying for. City customers will continue to get cheaper rates as telco's vertically integrate (as they are going towards now) to reduce overheads. Additionally NBN doesnt solve the cost of international traffic, nor does it promise symmetrical link speeds.
ejobrien Jul 20, 2010 9:21 AM	> "Hart said having 100 Mbps had changed what he could accomplish by working from home." And yet none of the uses he mentioned, online gaming, streaming television etc. have anything to do with work. Just saying... I'm sure I'd love to have that kind of speed as well, however I couldn't honestly claim that it would help me work.
realitybites Jul 20, 2010 11:41 AM	There are some good points made above. But I think the point of my post was misunderstood, I need outbound SPEED, quotas are not the problem at the moment. I would rather have the issue of outbound quota costs than not have the outbound capacity at all. For all you home users, outbound = upload.
zimeric Jul 20, 2010 6:23 PM	what bazwalt and a couple of other posters fail to take into account is that Quota=traffic Traffic=$$$ its not a simple matter for ISP's to throw quota at customers because they are chewing it up due to the faster connection.. they still need to juggle costs to make it profitable.. the more media laden the net traffic is the more upload and download traffic there is and therefore the more it costs the ISP's. Hence the recent shift of some ISPs from unmetered uploads to metered... in the long term as Australias links to the rest of the world are improved.. costs will come down and quota's will go up.. but lets fix the speed issue first and worry about quota later! bring on NBN!
Bazwalt Jul 21, 2010 9:19 AM	@rycrozier - True, but I think that in Australia the 2 problems we face are mutually exclusive. As Australians, we tend to lack speed, quota, and/or reliability. Usually one above all else which is why I said that quota is usually the case. @zimeric - No, I realise that Quota=Traffic and Traffic =$$$. All I'm saying is that the pricing per connection when taking into account speed vs quota isn't balanced. A 100Mbit connection with only 60GB isn't balanced. It's like buying a keg of beer at full price but only being given half a keg. Ain't nowhere near enough for what you're paying. I realise that our internation backbone capacity is lacking but im talking about balance..rather than tossing around quota willy nilly.
FLashy Jul 22, 2010 12:59 AM	The NBN is only for Home owners, Business is excluded. Schools already have fibre in W.A. as do all other government departments. Business will have to just pay as they do now. I suppose my monthly plan will have to increase by 33 times if I get 100MB/s speed. Maybe they could shape it back to 3MB/s on my ADSL 2+. Here's hoping The Labor government loses the Federal election. The NBN funds would be better spent on housing/hospitals etc. A Labor folly to buy votes - NBN.
anonymous Jul 22, 2010 1:24 PM	@FLashy, where did you get the idea that "NBN is only for Home owners"?? Not even for renters? C'mon, you don't really believe that business will somehow be excluded from the network, do you? And if you do actually believe that crap, why? Just asking ;-)