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Caroline Le Couteur MLA reponds

November 28th, 2009

Caroline Le Couteur, the Greens member for Molonglo and deputy chair of ACT Planning Committee has responded to the letter I sent last week.

The level of local support and representation of this issues how covers all major parties. Also great is Caroline’s commitment to representing the issues at the ACT Planning Committee at its next meeting.

Chris Taylor should be getting letters and inquiries from all sides of politics now. This local pressure might spark some response from him.

I do want to make one point. Many people have commented about the TransACT roll out of FTTP in Gungahlin. From what I can gather it is only greefields sites currently under development. It does not yet include existing suburbs affected by congestion and RIM/CMUX deployments. More on that later.

The response is listed below for you to read. It is the electronic version she emailed to me. I have received a signed copy.

GUNGAHLIN INTERNET – GILLON

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Persistence Pays Off

November 25th, 2009

It would appear that my mother was right all along, persistence does pay off. I received two responses from local members of the Legislative Assembly today, one from Zed Seselja and the other from Andrew Barr.

I am glad our local members are starting to take notice of the issues in Gungahlin, even if I had to use some provocative language to get a response.

I am pleased to see that Zed has taken steps to investigate the issue with Telstra and has assured me that he will let me know of the outcome. Having both Jon Stanhope’s office and the leader of the opposition both involved should start to send a message to Telstra.

Andrew Barr’s response entails forwarding the issue to the Chief Minister’s office but I still hope Andrew will write to Telstra as well.

The Greens are still to respond to either of my letters but it is still early days. I do expect a response from them, and look forward to working with all members of the Legislative Assembly to fix this issue.

I have attached both responses below and hope to receive more soon.

Andrew Barr – Response.pdf

Zed Seselja – Response.pdf

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Posted in Correspondence, News

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Second Round of Letters to ACT Legislative Assembly

November 20th, 2009

At around 4:45pm on Thursday 19th November I sent a second round of letters to the ACT Legislative Assembly Members for Molonglo. These letters were sent in an attempt rally more local support behind the issue prior to me going federal with the campaign.

My strategy at this point is to get all the local members passing the issue up to federal members at the same time as I write to the federal members. It is an attempt to present the issue as it really is…a community wide issue.

As Jon Stanhope’s office and Katy Gallagher did respond and forward Gungahlin’s concerns already, I did not send them a letter. They have done something and should get some credit for action where others have done very little.

I have attached all the letters below, they are all very similar except for the personalised third paragraph.

I have to admit the language in these letters is far more direct and challenging than the first letter sent in September. I will call members out who continue to show no interest in local matters. As I explain in my letter this is about the constituents and local business and there are a hell of a lot of us affected.

Senators Stephen Conroy, Garry Humphries, Kate Lundy are next as well as Bob McMullan.

2nd Letter MLA – Simon Corbell.pdf

2nd Letter MLA – Shane Rattenbury.pdf

2nd Letter MLA – Jeremy Hanson.pdf

2nd Letter MLA – Caroline Le Couteur.pdf

2nd Letter MLA – Andrew Barr.pdf

2nd Letter MLA – Zed Seselja.pdf

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Why Do I Use Speedtest.net?

November 18th, 2009

A few people have remarked on how much I rely on tests like www.speedtest.net.

There are many reasons why I like using speed tests, for one it helps quantify the issues being experienced in Gungahlin in a repeatable and standardised way. It is hard for many users to describe how poor the user experience actually is in Gungahlin. In many cases the users’ concerns are dismissed because they can not be articulated in a context that has meaning.

I have to admit that I used the speed test site to determine point in time upload and download speeds only. After doing the test I tweeted earlier tonight I had a look around the site a bit more and found a nugget of gold.

Speed Comparison 18Nov09

The scary thing is the actual results in the image above. If you wanted independant verification of your speeds against the average for the country then it is right there. Unfortunately Internode has changed IP address schemes in Canberra and the online databases have not managed to update yet. This means the IP address for my connection is still registered as being in Queensland and not in the ACT. That will update in time.

Doing these speed tests adds to a global database of informaiton gathered by others using the service. By doing a test your results are contributing to a resource others will gain benefit from.

How much more does one need to say about Gungahlin Broadband after looking at the graph? Not much, not much at all.

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Posted in News, Reports

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Internode Support Response

October 14th, 2009

At around 4:00pm Tuesday 13th October Internode Support replied to the ticket I raised on Monday the 12th.

The response was as expected and has not differed from any previous tickets raised about the issue.

The response provided by Internode is as follows.

From: Internode [mailto:nobody@mail.internode.com.au] On Behalf Of
helpdesk@ticket.internode.com.au
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:06 PM
To: russell@actbroadband.net
Subject: [ticket.internode.com.au #2229656] Poor Internet Performance

Hi Russell,

Thank you for your support request with Internode.

We sent an e-mail to your Internode e-mail address on Friday August 8th,
advising you that your service is part of a congestion fault which has been
reported to and confirmed by our wholesale provider.

We are actively seeking updates and pushing for a resolution, however at
this point, there are no updates.

We also have sent an sms message to the mobile number listed on your account
to advise you of updates, have you received this? If not, can you please
confirm your mobile number?

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please reply to
this email or contact our Helpdesk by phone on 1300 788 233.

Kind regards,

Carmen
Customer Support Officer

___________________________________
Internode Technical Support Team
Phone: 1300 788 233 for all support
Fax: 08 8235 6911
Web: http://www.internode.on.net

I want to let Internode and others in Gungahlin know that I will not stop raising support tickets around this issue. Even though the response does take measures to remind me that updates will be provided each month it does not mean I will wait quietly.

I understand that this tactic can be frustrating for the Internode Service Desk but it is not as frustrating as the real issue of poor ADSL performance. I know I run the risk of becoming a serial pest but if everyone becomes apathetic about the issue, ISPs and Wholesale Providers will focus on another “squeaky wheel.”

I also want to highlight that Internode is still referring to the congestion issue as a “Fault.” I assume that the Wholesale Provider has used the term “fault” as part of its current report everything – do nothing strategy.

This goes against the General Manager of Telstra Country Wide, ACT – Chris Taylor who has publicly announced that “This is not a fault.” I have included the full quote below.

“The [congestion]issue will be around cost. This is not a fault. It is actually a case of, there are more users than the infrastructure or transmission will allow.”

Chris Taylor – ABC Radio 666 interview 30th September 2009.

There it is, from the horses mouth no less. Gungahlin is not worth spending the money on to provide adequate service.

As the ADSL infrastructure (CMUX) was installed less than 5 years ago, and in many cases only within the last 2 years it would appear that Gungahlin has NEVER been an area Telstra Country Wide has deemed worthy of investment.

Might I remind you Chris Taylor, you own and manage the infrastructure causing the congestion issue. Your assertion that the public Internet is to blame is just not correct. To quote your own words:

“That’s a standard thing with the public Internet.”

Chris Taylor – ABC Radio 666 interview 30th September 2009.

The reality is different to your statement in my particular case. If the congestion I experience is due to the public Internet everyone would be affected.

People in Hackett using the same ISP are routed to the same Point of Presence (POP) as I am and therefore access the public Internet from the same point as I do.

Why are they not affected?

They are not, the question was rhetorical. The issue is occurring between the residence and the POP. The only difference between Hackett and Palmerston when accessing the Internet is the Telstra managed “last mile” infrastructure.

I can prove the congestion occurs between my house and the Internode Point of Presence in the ACT. This is prior to being “on the Internet.” The congestion occurs on the infrastructure Telstra Country Wide owns and resells for a fee.

I can demonstrate over three months where this has occurred. I have published reports at http://www.actbroadband.net/the-reports/ that show the congestion exists before traffic arrives at Internode infrastructure which is prior to hitting the public Internet.

Users like myself pay for the privilege to use this infrastructure. Regardless of wholesale or direct sales the issue is still Telstra’s responsibility to address.

I urge you to find the money, you must have had a number of opportunities to request budget to address this issue in the last 9 months. Please do not let another opportunity go by without addressing our concerns.

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Letters to the Molonglo Legislative Assembly Representatives

September 30th, 2009

Earlier today I posted seven letters to the current siting members of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Molonglo and one to the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope in his capacity as Minister for Business and Economic Development.

The intention of these letters is to engage with the local members who are elected to represent Gungahlin residents. There are enough concerns at a local level to more than justify their involvement. People have to remember that the ACT Government raise revenue through the Utility Tax December 2006 which includes the infrastructure providing inadequate service to my suburb.

I also believe telecommunications issues may be threatening the viability of Gungahlin as a location for private enterprise and Governments relocate to.

For the seven members for Molonglo I have sent identical letters with only the addressee altered. The current sitting members for Molonglo are:

  • Katy Gallagher
  • Zed Seselja
  • Andrew Barr
  • Simon Corbell
  • Caroline Le Couteur
  • Jeremy Hanson
  • Shane Rattenbury

I have posted the letter to Katy Gallagher below to show the content of the letters addressed to Molonglo representatives.

Letter to ACT MLA – Katy Gallagher

The letter to Jon Stanhope is slightly different as the Chief Minister is not a representative for Molonglo. My letter to him is posted below.

Letter to ACT MLA – Jon Stanhope

I am calling on each elected representative to become involved. The Gungahlin community is starting to engage in this issue, I would be disappointed if our elected representatives failed become part of the solution.

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ABC Radio Canberra Interview

September 30th, 2009

Earlier today I was invited by ABC Radio Canberra’s Afternoons program to be interviewed by Genevieve Jacobs concerning Broadband in Gungahlin. The invitation came from interest in my post on The-RiotACT.com and the content of this site. The interviews occured at 1:15pm th 30th September 2009 and finished at 1:32pm.

Genevieve also invited Allan Kerlin from the Gungahlin Community Council; David Forman from the Competitive Carrier’s Coalition; and Chris Taylor, Managing Director for Telstra Country Wide ACT.

I have to confess I was quite nervous, I did not expect to be on the radio when I got out of bed this morning.

The issue sparked numerous SMS and phone calls to the ABC radio station, many of which were commented on air after the interviews were finished.

ABC Radio have assured me they will make a transcript available which I will post on this site (if permitted).

I would like to thank the ABC for the opportunity to put my issues to such a wide audience.

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Internode Responds

September 24th, 2009

On Wednesday the 23rd of September Internode contacted me to respond to the letter I sent Thursday 17th September.

The initial response was via a phone call from Emma Rocca, Internode’s Customer Relations representative. The phone call was then followed up by an email from Emma acknowledging our conversation in writing. Here it the email response.

To: rXXXXXX@internode.on.net
Subject: [ticket.internode.com.au #2179885] Attention: The Carrier Relations Manager

Hi Russell

As per our phone conversation you can reply to this email address with any information that you would see of benefit to Internode, regarding the congestion issues at the Crace exchange.  Please note that this is not a guarantee that the information will be passed on to our wholesaler.

As discussed Internode is liaising with our wholesaler to try and get the congestion issues rectified and all customers affected are notified via SMS on a monthly basis with any updates that we receive. At this stage Internode has not received an ETA in regards to when this will be addressed but we will continue to apply pressure and escalate this matter where possible.

We appreciate you taking the time to write to us and thank you for your understanding.

–
Kind Regards

Emma Rocca
Internode
Customer Satisfaction Team Leader

Phone: 13 NODE (13 66 33)
Fax: (08) 8235 6999
150 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA
www: http://www.internode.on.net

Emma took time to explain that John Lindsay had read the letter and tasked her as the Customer Relations Representative to contact me and explain what Internode have done to address the issue. She also explained that my letter has been forwarded to the Wholesale Provider through the escalation process.

Emma has assured me that Internode has escalated the issues concerning Crace exchange as far as their relationship with their Wholesale Provider allows. John Lindsay is aware of the issue and taking all the steps possible to find a resolution.

The issue has been openly acknowledged by Telstra Wholesale as a congestion issue with their infrastructure.

This is encouraging as Internode senior management are involved in resolving the issue and as much pressure as possible is being applied by my ISP.

Our conversation did raise some concerns that I believe need to be addressed.

Internode only receives updates on the Crace exchange issue once a month, around the 8th. This consists of an acknowledgement of the issue and the expected ETA for a resolution. It would appear that the Wholesale Provider is not interested in engaging with the ISP or communicating in any meaningful way. As much as it would appear my ISP is attempting to engage, the Wholesale Provider appears not to be interested.

The Wholesale Provieder is not admitting what the actual issue is related to. I asked Internode if they had been given details of what the issue was. Internode did not seem to actually know any details other than the issue relates to congestion. Part of understanding the magnitude of the issue is having details on where the issue lies. If the congestion is with insufficient switching infrastructure that gives me confidence that the Wholesaler actually looked at the issue at some point. No information is far from transparent to the users paying for the service.

The Wholesale Provider refuses to provide an ETA for the resolution of the issue. For at least 6 months there been no ETA provided to Internode and as of the 8th of September there is still no time frame for resolution. I can only assume the Wholesale Provider is not interested in addressing the issues at Crace exchange regardless of the pressure being exerted.

These issues are significant enough in my mind to escalate further. If the issue was with a new car there is no way a manufacturer could acknowledge a defect, keep the details of the defect to themselves and refuse to provide a time frame as to when the defect will be addressed.

Why is this any different?

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Escalation within Internode

September 18th, 2009

I decided to start the process of addressing the issues at Crace exchange by escalating my current support calls with my Internet Service Provider.

The first question people will ask is – did you escalate the issue with your ISP?

When dealing with an ISP Service Desk it can be difficult to have your issue pushed beyond the first call. As it was tough for me to determine the next step in the escalation path at Internode I decided to send a written letter to the person I could identify.

The Internode website outlines the roles and profiles of senior management. I decided to escalate my issue to the Manager for Carrier Relations, John Lindsay.

I sent the following letter dated the 16th September 2009 to Mr. Lindsay via registered mail. You can read my letter to Internode by clicking the link below.

Escalation Letter to Internode

I have chosen to wait and give Internode the ability to respond before I progress this issue further.

I look forward to Internode’s response.

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Welcome to actbroadband.net

September 8th, 2009

This website is dedicated to addressing the ongoing Internet performance issues concerning residents of Gungahlin. I hope this site will become one of the focal points in the quest to improve Internet access performance to levels equivalent with neighboring suburbs in North Canberra.

An explanation of issues with Internet services in Gungahlin as well as some history is outlined in links on the top of this page. I have spent some time documenting the problems experienced by residents of North Canberra as well as what I have done to address the issues myself. If you always wondered how it works or why it is so slow, these pages will help.

More information will be uploaded here on a regular basis including statistics and reports when I can generate them.

I will also be using a Twitter account to track latency on a day to day basis. Follow me if you are interested in receiving information on when my site is updated.

I will also be posting all copies of correspondence I have with service providers, Politicians and other organisations.

The more people can work together the greater the chance of a result. The hope is to engage enough residents in the Gungahlin area to escalate the issue beyond what is possible by a single individual.

Please read through the site and come back often.

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