What is ADSL2+?

Actrix Broadband is delivered over Telecom's copper phone line network using ADSL technology; ADSL2+ is the next step in this technology and can provide faster Broadband speeds when the conditions below are met.

How fast are we talking here?

Normal ADSL connections are capable of up to 7.6Mbps down and 600kbps up though the speed each user receives can vary due to a number of factors outlined on our Speed Factors page.

ADSL2+ connections however are capable of up to 24Mbps down and 1000kbps up, though again this will vary depending on the situation.

How do I get myself sorted for ADSL2+ high-speed Broadband?

Over 60% of Broadband customers should already be connected through an ADSL2+ enabled cabinet or exchange which means many Broadband customers could improve their Broadband service by taking a few simple steps.

For those served by an ADSL2+ exchange or cabinet, running through the steps below will help you to take advantage of the high-speed Broadband services that are available today.

The five step plan for tuning your broadband for ADSL2+:

• Step One: Is your telephone exchange or cabinet ADSL2+ enabled?
• Step Two: Health check your modem or router
• Step Three: Confirm your Broadband plan
• Step Four: Home wiring issues - install a splitter
• Step Five: Audit your PC or laptop

Step One: Is your telephone exchange or cabinet ADSL2+ enabled?

At least 80 per cent of New Zealand broadband customers should be ADSL2+ enabled by the end of 2011.

Already the Broadband electronics for residential customers in the urban parts of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin have been upgraded and Phase two of the ADSL2+ upgrade programme is underway.

To check if your address is ADSL2+ enabled click here and enter your physical address into the tool, or give the helpdesk a call on 0800 ACTRIX.

If you live within two kilometres of an ADSL2+ enabled exchange or new roadside cabinet you could receive a significant increase in Broadband speed (generally 40% to 200%). Beyond two kilometres there should be an improvement but it may not be as noticeable.


Step Two: Health check your modem or router

To benefit from a Broadband service that uses ADSL2+ you'll need an ADSL2+compliant modem or router. All modems provided by Actrix for the past two years are ADSL2+ ready and some models before that were too.

Most compatible modems have an "ADSL2+ Compatible" label on the equipment or packaging, but if you're not sure take a look at the manufacturers website and this should tell you.


Step Three: Confirm your Broadband plan

All current Actrix Broadband plans (FS/128 & FS/FS) are now ADSL2+ready, however plans with a limited upload speed (e.g. 128kb) may affect your downstream speed. To get the most out of your ADSL2+connection you should talk to the helpdesk about purchasing a Broadband plan with a full speed upstream speed.

Why is this important for your downstream speed? It's a result of the protocols that make the Internet work. For every 'packet' of data your computer receives it has to send a small acknowledgment 'packet' back to the server it received the data from. If the acknowledgment 'packets' sent back - via your upstream connection - don't get through quickly enough then the download will slow down.

Applications like Skype or LiveMessenger, offering audio and video conferencing, also work better with a faster upstream speed. While the video and audio is compressed when it leaves your computer it will still benefit from a full speed upstream connection.

If you don't already have a full speed upstream plan, consider contacting Actrix to upgrade your plan.


Step Four: Home wiring issues - install a splitter

The telephone wiring within your home or business can significantly impact the speed of your Broadband connection. If any of the scenarios below describe your situation then the installation of splitter is likely to improve your Broadband speed.

• Too many telephone jackpoints. New Zealanders seem to love jack points in every room of their homes, but unfortunately each one adds noise to the line. Consider reducing the number of jack points and plugged in phones where they are not necessary.
• Devices without ADSL Line Filters. Devices such as telephones, fax machines, Sky decoders, old dial-up modems and monitored alarms can also add noise to the line. You should check that everything connected to a jack point has a ADSL Line Filter.
• Long telephone extension leads. Long extension leads are prone to picking up interference. If possible avoid using lengthy extension leads.

One fix that resolves all these issues is the installation of a central splitter at your home or business. Installing a central splitter involves a technician visiting your home and installing a signal splitter at the point where the telephone line enters your house. They then run a new high quality cable to your computer. Once this is done you no longer need to be worried about the wiring in your house interfering with your Broadband.

For more information on installing a splitter give the helpdesk a call on 0800 ACTRIX.


Step Five: Audit your PC or laptop

The specification and age of the computer that you access the internet from can makes a big difference to your web browsing experience. The list below is not comprehensive but any improvements you make will likely improve your online experience.

• Age of your computer. If your computer is several years old it is likely to be slowing down your web browsing experience. Older computer have slower processors and chipsets, are likely to have less random access memory (RAM) and less hard-disk space.
• Amount of memory available. Increasing the random access memory (RAM) on your desktop or laptop computer is one of the best ways to improve your web browsing experience. Check out your computer manufacturer's website to find out how to upgrade the memory on your computer.
• Updates to your operating system. Operating systems like Microsoft Windows XP and Vista are frequently updated with critical updates that may result in an improved Broadband experience. Many operating systems optionally allow you to automatically update your computer when updates become available.
• Amount of space available on your hard drive. If your computer's hard disk is close to full your web browser software will find it more difficult to store and retrieve the files it needs to operate efficiently. It is a good idea to wipe old programs that no longer required from your computer and clear as much space as possible. If you computer has a hard disk defragmentation program, make use of it.
• Viruses, malware and spyware. Viruses, malware and spyware can all impact on the performance of your computer. Ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software protecting your PC.