So, I finally took the plunge and went out and got myself a
Bell Turbo Hub -- specifically a Netgear MBR1210.
For the past couple of months, my 3 Mbps Xplornet service -- which used to average an acceptable 1.4 Mbps down -- has been averaging well below 1 Mbps. In fact, my irregular, random testing shows that the 30-day average download speed was just 440 Kbps. Not good.
As some of you regular readers are aware, I telecommute about 1-2 times per week. My Xplornet speeds, which used to be higher-than-average during working hours, had slowed to the point where work was becoming impacted. Not good.
A call to Xplornet customer service quickly got me to Tier 2 tech support, but other than offering to re-align my antenna to another tower -- at my expense -- there was nothing they could do supposedly. Not good.
I was also concerned about Xplornet's new 'fair-use' (read, throttling) policy coming into effect March 1. Not good.
I figured if I was going to lay-out $125 for an antenna re-alignment, then it wasn't such a big thing to pay $150 for a turbo hub -- or a Rogers Rocket Hub -- depending on what I decided. And the 'slow' service was 7 Mbps peak (although Bell does say that 2-4 Mbps down is typical). I'd been wanting faster service and couldn't get it from Xplornet.
To top it all off, with
Bell's flex-plan, my monthly ISP fees
could be lower than the $50 per month I'm currently paying to Xplornet. I'm not an online gamer or Netflix user, so I don't expect to go over the 10 GB monthly limit.
I was concerned about signal strength. I mean, my Xplornet antenna is mounted on an 8-foot mast on my roof, while the turbo hub sits on my desk and an external antenna is optional (and Bell doesn't sell the external antennas). Luckily, Bell has a 14-day, 50MB trial, so I could take the turbo hub home and return it is speeds or signal strength weren't acceptable. Good.
I decided to go with Bell -- instead of Rogers -- because of the trial and because as a Bell home phone, long distance, and TV customer, I could bundle the Internet service into my current Bell plan. I figure if Bell's hub doesn't work out, I can still try Rogers, which has towers closer to my house than Bell.
On my way home from work this afternoon, I stopped by the Bell World store in Barrhaven and picked up a Netgear MBR1210 turbo hub. When I got home, I plugged it in and waited for it to boot -- the quick start guide said booting would take approximately 1 minute, which is approximately what it took. After the hub booted, to my delight, the all-important Signal Quality indicator showed solid blue -- excellent coverage. Good.
I plugged by desktop PC into the hub and started doing some tests. My home-grown download speed tester -- the one that gave the 30-day average of 440 Kbps for Xplornet -- averaged 1.2 Mbps and peaked at 3.2 Mbps. Good.
Twice this evening, I ran download tests on TestMy.net, and got 3.95 and 3.49 Mbps respectively. Good.
I also did some web browsing and email downloading. All noticeably faster than lately with Xplornet. Good.
I'd almost blown my 50 MB trial, so I switched back to Xplornet. For comparison, I ran another TestMy.net download speed test, and Xplornet only managed 335 Kbps -- 10x lower than the Bell turbo hub. Not Good.
Another good point for the Netgear MBR1210 turbo hub: among its advanced features is a built-in traffic meter which can be configured to issue warnings and even disconnect if you go over your monthly download limit. Good.
All in all, my first evening with the Bell turbo hub 7 Mbps (max) service has been quite positive and definitely much better than my Xplornet service has been a while. Your mileage may vary.
-Chris
12 Comments:
I live just outside North Gower on Third Line Road. Over here, my internet options are limited. I can either go with XploreNet, Bell or Rogers. I don't like how XploreNet may be imposing throttling limits on daily and/or monthly caps. If I purchase Internet, I want it to be completely open. Furthermore, I don't like the tiered billing that comes with Bell or Rogers Mobile Internet. I opted for Rogers since I was a Rogers customer for a while, but I don't like the service or the billing. I just wish there was a Wireless provider that gives you a fixed price for unlimited or for some really high bandwidth number. It is too easy to reach +10gb between two people.
paul
We think there going to be a new internet provider . Northwind .No cap ,good speed, price is right. Corkery woods area. Bell & Rogers cost is high. Xplornet speed up and down.
Anonymous,
Im also located in the Corkery area - do you mean that you wish that there was an alternate ISP in the Corkery woods area like Northwind, or that you are currently able to get service with Northwind ? If there is a new service provider for the area, I would love to hear about it.
Thanks
Fox
I personally (and professionally) think that the days of unlimited download for a fixed monthly price are numbered. All the incumbents are moving to tiered pricing even in wireline services like DSL and cable, and they are still trying to recoup their investments into wireless ISP. Only small operators seem to still be offering unlimited services, and I think they will eventually have to follow the incumbents, since, by and large, the small ISPs are using the backhauls of the incumbents.
That said, as more operators enter the wireless ISP space, we may see downward movement monthly subscription rates, or more likely, increased download limits for the same cost (because companies don't like to have less revenues).
Finally, where I am located (between Manotick and Kars), I've tried both Bell's Turbo Hub and Rogers' Rocket Stick. I get much better speeds from Bell. This probably has more to do with my location than either Bell's or Rogers' service.
So, if you've tried one incumbent and are not happy with the service, you may want to try another.
-Chris
NorthWind setting the tower up on Jacob Gate. When i dont know. Talk to David Mckeen at Northwind.
Bell and Rogers fiber on March rd. Northwind trying to hook up with fibre to tower but the cost is high. Look like we are going to be stuck with Xplornet,Bell ,Rogers Wireless .
Northwind ready to setup on Jacob Gate in two week . Call David Mckeen
I do hope that an alternative high speed provider shows up near corkery woods area. I am with Bell 512K (portable internet) and the speed and connection have been absolutely horrendous these past few months.
Thinking about starting as pigeon delivery service or sending a usb stick by mail.. might be faster :)
Bell just send me a letter indicating they will discontinued the bell portable service in the corkery wood area.... They want me to move to the turbo hub...mmmmm an extra 40$ for the same monthly usage. I guess it's Xplorenet :(
Hi shubert1969,
Rogers has discontinued their version of that same service as of March 1st 2011 as well. Just as it was starting to work quite well (solid 2mbps down) for me. The original migration letter that they sent me was for a standard RocketHub data plan, but there were enough users harassing them for something better that Rogers did come up with a special "Portable Migration plan" that I was able to secure. This new plan gets you the rocket hub free of charge and 10 gb of data for $45 and up to 30 gb for $60 on a 2 year term. The original portable internet service was supposed to be capped at 30 gb, so I took the offer before they changed their minds. Was a bit of a gong show trying to get to the right agent to get the thing activated on the migration plan though.
Keep the pressure on them - write them a letter explaining that your usage will result in a larger bill and see if Bell will also make a special migration plan.
Too bad that there arent any other options in the Corkery area. Best of luck.
Fox
I am working on getting a new provider in Corkery woods. So hang on. If you want to help out call up Northwind for more information. Xplornet cost to much for dial up.
Thanks anonymous,
I previously sent an email to David and anxiously waiting for an a-ok.
Stephane
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