SatSig topic:

Astra2connect in Europe experience?

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Dec 26^th, 2007 at 10:44am

Hello everybody

Does anybody have experience with the Astra2connect 2-way satellite service offered by Filiago, StarDSL, Yato or another provider?

They are offering the following service profiles:
256/64
512/96
1024/128

No information is given about the contention ratio and about the reliablity of the service.

I am looking for people already using this service. Please tell me about your experiences.

Mar 12^th, 2008 at 8:43pm

Well,
I do have personal/own experience since June/07. (512/96)

- Equipment is OK, no troubles so far, but....
- the FUP/Fair Use Policy ist pretty tough. Sad

- During rushhours (3...9pm) you will be scaled down in speed according to your volume.
- i.e. up to ~400MB down to ~300kbits/sec and
- above ~1.000MB down to ~20...64kbits/sec

Quite frankly, actually, I´m unhappy with my decision for A2C.

Sorry, no better news.
Wolf

Dec 20^th, 2008 at 1:30pm

I have signed up to Astra2connect through Deutsche Telekom. The so-called "fair use policy", which I understand is common to all distributors of Astra2connect, makes the service almost useless for any but light users.

In fact I am entering this comment via an ISDN connection.

If you can get a tarif from an alternative provider that is not data volume sensitive or perhaps better still UMTS, I would strongly advise staying clear of Astra2connect.

It's a shame, because otherwise it's fairly good.

Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:59am

I use NordNet in France. This is owned by France Telecom. It is supplied by Orbit Home Technologies. It is very reliable but does slow down considerably at peak times. I was also hitting the maximum downloads in the month. I therefore also use SkyDSL. This provides one way satellite with unlimitted downloads.

The 2 systems run in tandem with the NordNet system providing the uploads and SkyDSL doing the downloads. It works a treat. I have set the SkyDSL router as the DHCP server so that there is only one on the network.

I can have up to 20 computers connected at one time.

Jan 11^th, 2009 at 5:17pm

Hi Chas

I also use Nordnet and the 1400 megs per month are easily filled I'm afraid.

Can you give me some more information re SkyDSL? I've taken a look at their website, but wasn't too sure how it all worked together.

Thanks in advance

Kenny

Jan 27^th, 2009 at 9:54am

Hi Kenny

You set the NordNet router up as one fixed IP address and then SkyDSL as another fixed IP address. You then use the SkyDSL as the DHCP server and this then uses it as the Internet gateway. I have a number of other devices as fixed IP addresses like WiFi Access Points and network printer. The DHCP server then starts from xxx.xxx.xxx.50 for all other computers on the network.

Jan 27^th, 2009 at 10:20am

ChasN, which particular package do you have from SkyDSL? We've been using them here in France for over a year - started with the PCI card, but later got the SkyDSL box, and we are using it as a DHCP server for 3 machines. We have persistent problems with the box, as it keeps dropping the server function and we have to unplug the power supply, plug it in again and reconnect. This is the second DSL box, as the first was faulty, too.
You say you have no download limit? We have the extra "Gear 2" package, but have given up using it because of the additional costs, and so just limp on with the basic download speed, which isn't great - max about 240 Kb, but often down to Dial-up speeds. Obviously our uplink is via a dial-up modem. The whole shebang isn't cheap by the time you add the two ISP costs together, plus the use of a second telephone line dedicated to internet activity.

I wonder if your solution might be less expensive for us in the long run?

Chris

Jan 27^th, 2009 at 12:10pm

Hi Chris

I am on the 2000 package with SkyDSL. The problem with the SkyDSL boxes disappears as soon as you get rid of dialup and use the NordNet as the connection to the Internet. It is a relavation!!!

I can have up to 20 people on my system at any one time. Not hammering it but web browsing and emailing.

Jan 27^th, 2009 at 1:19pm

Thanks for that Chas. All in all an expensive way to get a half-way decent internet service, considering you can now get a 50 Mbs service in the UK for around £50!

I've never fully understood the Fair Use rules with SkyDSL - if there's no download limit, I take it you are not capped, and the connection speed doesn't progressively drop? When we first took up a contract, there were different tariffs and we were assured that with ours, "Gear 2" could achieve download speeds of 24 Mbs (which, as it turned out was a lie - the maximum I've ever achieved is 2 Mbs at 1.5 cents a Mbit extra!) We are supposed to be able to download at that speed on our basic tariff, but as I said earlier, the maximum has been about 240 Kbs. I've remonstrated with them, but they're not very co-operative! They've since revamped their tariffs, but insist that our original contract is still honoured. I don't believe it.

I'd be quite interested in your set up, but we wouldn't save anything by switching from dial-up to Nordnet, and it wouldn't be easy convincing the wife - she's far less download hungry!!

Chris

Sep 10^th, 2009 at 6:44pm

Just read all these post with interest. I am using Nordnet france and have found through extensive tests that they are saying i am using double the quota i am. I am currently in dispute with them. I am sure most on nordnet are being robbed because they know no different. I will give more info if anybody wants. will also post outcome.

Sep 26^th, 2009 at 5:32pm

Hi

I use a free product called NBMonitor that monitors your Internet usage. This then gives you a definative record of your Internet usage.

If you have more than 1 PC connected to your NordNet router then you shall need the product installed on each PC and then summed to provide total usage.

Sep 29^th, 2009 at 10:44pm

Hi
I have tried NB monitor but now using both BW meter and networx. both give accurate readings and same as each other. Nord still recording me as using double what I do.
They say they are looking into it but so far a month and nothing. Have had couple of refunds tho. Are you saying your readings match theirs?.
carl.

Oct 10^th, 2009 at 8:00am

I am in the UK and have had the Astra2Connect service for several months now and after the 'honeymoon' period (of actually getting broadband) am finding the service variable. Although I use the internet for no much more than surfing (ie no big file up/downloads), I find the service has a distinct pattern; the servce is quick in the morning up to early afternoon but then falls off towards early evening when it almost comes to a complete stop. The speeds then pick up again after 10pm.
I am interested to know if anyone has similar experience and also, is there any way of checking what your actual usage is so I could challenge their fair use policy.
Thanks

Oct 29^th, 2009 at 12:15am

Yes that is a typical experience. To monitor useage the best on the market just happens to be free, it is called Networx, we on ver 5.5. the next best an equal to is BWmeter, this can be better depending on your needs, try it for 30 days then only 14 quid. good luck.
carl..
I notice chas didnt come back with a reply, making too much money with nordnet?.

***
Reference links below to softperfect.com added by forum admin:-
Networx traffic useage software description
Networx free download

Nov 1^st, 2009 at 7:25pm

I'd agree with crunchyfrog's comments. I've been with Beyondsl.net since March and that's the typical pattern. It's more or less as I was told and because I use it for work, so predominantly days and late nights (well....) and that seems to avoid the slowest periods, although I must admit that sometimes the afternoons can get very slow...

We're on the cheapest package and so may suffer from the throttling but, compared to the previous dial-up service, it's wonderful. I just find that if I do need to download something large I can just schedule it, whereas with the dial-up 200M would occupy 24 hours.

We're in a part of the country (UK west Wales) with low population density and we're just too far from the landline exchange with little chance of this changing in the near future,and, of course, no mobile data coverage.

g

Dec 23^rd, 2009 at 5:37pm

Quote:

Yes that is a typical experience. To monitor useage the best on the market just happens to be free, it is called Networx, we on ver 5.5. the next best an equal to is BWmeter, this can be better depending on your needs, try it for 30 days then only 14 quid. good luck.
carl..
I notice chas didnt come back with a reply, making too much money with nordnet?.

***
Reference links below to softperfect.com added by forum admin:-
https://www.softperfect.com/

Hi Carl

The reason I didn't come back is because I have been seriously ill. I make no money out of NordNet.

Jan 23^rd, 2010 at 11:47am

In my previous posting, I mentioned the variable service I was receiving from BeyondSL. Well, the service hasn't really improved; it is still variable and speeds can be very low at times. As it's coming up to the end of my 12 month contract I was wondering how easy it is to change to another provider and if so, who. Recognising that I'm a 'non-techie' type, I would appreciate some help in answering the following questions.....

Q1. Can I still keep my existing BeyondSL kit (dish / receiver thingy / modem) but just have someone point the dish toward another satellite or do I have to buy another load of kit ?

Q2. Can you recommend any other service providers?

Thanks

Feb 9^th, 2010 at 4:55pm

Hello!

I am intending to sign a contract with Vivéole and I like to now if someone has some experience with this enterprise.

Sham

P. S. : If it gives some "parrain" reading, please, contact me!

Feb 9^th, 2010 at 5:27pm

Reading this page w ww.viveole.fr/abonnements-internet-satellite it used the word "illimite". Beware, this word is prohibited on this web site in connection with services that are clearly shared, as it is misleading advertising. You will be limited by congestion from the other sites simultaneously sharing the same satellite capacity.

Their Classic service offering 256/64k at 19.90 euro "illimite", will probably offer something like 3.8kbit/s / 500 bit/s if averaged over 24 hrs. You will get much better speeds at times when there are few others on at the same time. The price is fair for what you get, but don't let your expectations be raised by what I consider misleading advertising. My point of view - let's hear what others have to say.....

Best regards, Eric.

Feb 12^th, 2010 at 12:28pm

Olá Eric and all others!
3.8kbit/s it's something like nothing!
In fact, I'm thinking signing for 2048 kb/s256 kb/s with a limit of 2G Volume and unlimited between 23h-07h.

Best regards,
Sham

Feb 12^th, 2010 at 12:58pm

Quote:

3.8kbit/s it's something like nothing!

A shared system, suitable for a user with single PC and without extravagent demands, gives typically a long term average of about 10 kbit/s down and 3kbit/s up. This is normal for a minimal cost shared service.

2GB per month for 16 hours per day is an average of 9 kbit/s.

To assure that each user gets their fair share a "fair access policy" or FAP, is applied. The FAP limits your traffic amounts over various periods of time. Your peak bit rates may be 2048/256 but don't expect to be able to sustain these speeds for long periods. So called "unlimited", as I say above, limited by the traffic load caused by others sharing the same capacity. As long as you understand this, you should be happy with the service. Just don't raise your expectations too far. I would rather that you were pleasantly suprised by the service rather than disappointed.

Here is a German forum about Astra2connect. Put Google Toolbar, Page Translate ON, if it helps you.

It would be helpful if existing users of Astra2connect were to give their experiences here please.

Best regards, Eric.

Jul 18^th, 2010 at 10:07pm

Hi,

I work for BeyonDSL and would like to address the points about the Fair Use Policy and peak time congestion. All packages are subject to throttling during periods of congestion but we try our best to make this as transparent as possible to the user; we have recently reworked our entire website and added a "My Account" section that allows the user to monitor their usage and the network congestion.

If you're on a Standard Package as you use more data your speed is gradually reduced in steps until it is reset back to full speed at the end of the month. If you've been stepped down a lot and then there is a lot of congestion this could make your service slow. We offer a number of ways around this. The simplest is that at any time you can buy a "FUP Reset" that resets your data usage to 0 and speed step to full.

Another option is to use a Value Package... these have hard data caps (between 2 and 4GB) but there are no speed-steps... if you wish to use more data you simply buy 1GB Top-Ups.

FreeZone can be added to most Standard or Value Packages. This gives you unlimited unmetered 'best-efforts' downloads/uploads between 11pm and 5am every night. If you're on a Value Package there is no effect on your data allowance and if you're on a Standard Package there is no effect on your speed-step.

Finally, we now offer a separate, dedicated VOIP data channel for £6.99/month. This means you can make as much use of VOIP as you want without any effect on your allowance/speed-step.

Satellite Broadband is not perfect by any means and it might require a little management (e.g. scheduling downloads during FreeZone) but if you are outside the reach of traditional broadband we feel that it offers the best experience possible.

If anyone has any questions I'm happy to help

Thanks,

Alex

Aug 22^nd, 2012 at 7:19pm

I am using Astra 2Connect in UK. Performance reasonable for satellite, download up to 6mb/s, regularly falling to 1mb/s or less by late evening, regardless of traffic level or usage,seems to be a common experience.I have never been able to quite achieve the signal strengths specified by Astra, I'm tempted to try a larger dish.Provider blames dish misalignment for substandard performance, I'm not convinced.
Provider claims service is available in Spain also, but so far all attempts have failed, signal strength with specified modem configuration is very low and connection quite impossible.
Has any other user experienced similar problems, particularly in Spain?
Living in hope!