racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

My DSL connection has been really slow for the past two weeks or so. Some colleagues of mine who also use SkyDSL are also reporting similar problems. Thing is, we people rely on the Internet to work, do business, and earn money.

Here’s an email I recently sent to SkyDSL customer service. If you have been experiencing slow speeds on your SkyDSL or Bayantel DSL (essentially the same) accounts, please don’t hesitate to call them up or send email. Their address is csdip@bayantel.com.ph .

Dear Bayantel/SkyDSL,

I’ve been having very slow speeds and unreliable connections on several of my SkyDSL accounts since about two weeks ago. I’ve been getting very high latency and low speeds, and this has badly affected my productivity (most of my work is Web related). I called up 411-2000 but the CSR I talked to said there were no outages or maintenance operations being done on the network. Still, I’ve been getting bad performance, regardless of machine (both PCs and Macs) I use, and on two locations.

Here are some details.

On both my apartments, I use Sky DSL bundled in with my telephone subscription. One 768kbps and one 384kbps.

768K – username (xxxxx). tel no (xxx-xxxx)
384K – username (xxxxx). tel no (xxx-xxxx)

Both of these are along Maginhawa St. in Teachers Village East Quezon City.

Here is a sample traceroute output (to gmail.google.com, one of the sites I find quite slow these days). I was asked by the CSR to send these over for your analysis.

Traceroute has started …

traceroute to gmail.l.google.com (209.85.139.107), 64 hops max, 40 byte packets
# 192.168.2.1 (192.168.2.1) 7.345 ms 2.492 ms 2.396 ms
# 202.78.96.116 (202.78.96.116) 32.113 ms 35.902 ms 34.489 ms
# 202.78.97.157 (202.78.97.157) 28.060 ms 32.474 ms 22.195 ms
# 210.4.2.195 (210.4.2.195) 24.580 ms 23.940 ms 22.066 ms
# so-1/1/0.ig3.lax1.alter.net (63.114.59.105) 330.247 ms 334.106 ms 325.866 ms
# 0.so-7-0-0.xl1.lax1.alter.net (152.63.112.250) 328.786 ms 392.810 ms *
# 152.63.57.78 (152.63.57.78) 329.267 ms * 328.802 ms
# 0.so-6-0-0.br1.lax7.alter.net (152.63.112.41) 327.186 ms 321.951 ms 327.682 ms
# lap-brdr-01.inet.qwest.net (205.171.1.145) 206.683 ms 202.827 ms *
# bur-core-02.inet.qwest.net (205.171.213.109) 203.963 ms 211.153 ms 205.584 ms
# sea-core-01.inet.qwest.net (67.14.1.186) 216.476 ms * 218.024 ms
# * sea-edge-08.inet.qwest.net (205.171.26.74) 222.415 ms 218.789 ms
# * 65.121.106.86 (65.121.106.86) 242.668 ms 240.028 ms
# 72.14.239.12 (72.14.239.12) 1467.341 ms 1513.570 ms 1480.514 ms
# 72.14.233.37 (72.14.233.37) 1465.196 ms 1461.246 ms 1466.459 ms
# 209.85.250.69 (209.85.250.69) 242.306 ms 209.85.250.65 (209.85.250.65) 1511.369 ms 209.85.250.69 (209.85.250.69) 241.461 ms
# * 72.14.239.190 (72.14.239.190) 242.521 ms 72.14.239.194 (72.14.239.194) 1513.615 ms
# * pr-in-f107.google.com (209.85.139.107) 1503.991 ms *

And here are some speedtest.net results.

The first one is using the Bayantel server in QC:

Download speed: 763 kbps
Upload speed: 701 kbps
Latency: 106 ms

The second one is using a Hong Kong server:

Download speed: 50 kbps
Upload speed: 41 kbps
Latency: 580 ms

This third one is using a San Jose, CA server:

Download speed: 132 kbps
Upload speed: 126 kbps
Latency: 243 ms

Notice the big speed difference. With this, I think we can perhaps initially rule out any problem from my end to your end (meaning between my computer/s and Bayantel) because connection from here to the Bayantel server (using speedtest) is fast. But connection to the rest of the world is slow.

I hope you can help out with resolving this problem. This is particularly unfortunate to people like myself who rely on the Internet to do work and business. And I have had several colleagues complaining of lost productivity due to slow speeds.

Regards,

Angelo Racoma

It’s been a busy week, or rather a very busy two weeks. So if you’re wondering why I haven’t been posting here lately, it’s because I’m either posting elsewhere (like the Blog Herald, JOAB and my other network blogs), building up a blog empire (soft-launched, but not yet officially launched), or taking care of some offline things. So for now, I’ll post in the good ol’ bullet points, like the usual when I’m busy.

My mother bought a MacBook. She almost bought another brand laptop (HP, which is not bad, but hey it’s not an Apple). But I told her for that price, she could already get a MacBook. PhP 62K for a Core 2 Duo Presario V2000 with a DVD-RW vs PhP 64k for a Core 2 Duo MacBook with Combo drive Not as high spec’d, when it comes to the add-ons/peripherals like the optical drive and the card readers but the Mac is still a better buy, in my opinion.

We checked out stores at SM Cyberzone, but ended up at “Ynzal”:http://ynzal.com instead because of the really big discount their Business Dev Manager, Mr. Jojo Magallanes, gave us. We got it for PhP 60K plus some freebies.

“Here’s her story.”:http://dine.racoma.com.ph/blogging/sexy-mom-is-back-me-and-my-sexy-macbook/

Lesson learned: mothers, listen to your sons!

WeRoam saves the day. When I first tested PLDT’s WeRoam service in 2005 when I was still with dotPH I thought the speed was really crappy. We were at the Ortigas area then, and we couldn’t get an EDGE signal. So that means regular GPRS speeds, at 30 something kbps (sucks, I know). These days though, I think they have faster, 3G speeds. And you could always go for Globe Visibility HSDPA. You could theoretically get 1.8 Mbps (and 400 to 800 Kbps in real world applications).

But I’m a penny pincher at times, especially these days that I foresee big expenses upcoming.

So I bought myself a used Sierra AirCard 775 from a fellow “BNC”:http://bncxe.org member so I could surf while mobile. I do have an unlimited “Airborne Access”:http://www.airborneaccess.net account, but there are places I visit that don’t have hotspots of any kind. And since I foresee the need for untethered Internet access, I thought of this option instead.

It doesn’t come with a subscription. I just plug in a prepaid Smart SIM card, and I can enjoy surfing for PhP 10 per 30 minutes (PLDT WeRoam uses the Smart network). It’s really slow, but when you need to get things done, these things are a life saver. (And yes, I was able to configure my PowerBook to use the AirCard. The PC laptop was easy enough.)

Thing is, I usually only get a GPRS signal, and not EDGE. So it’s 30+ Kbps instead of the marketed 200 Kbps of EDGE. I guess I could have opted for a 3G phone instead, or a faster AirCard (or other brands), since Smart also offers the same rate for 3G access. But that would be loads more expensive in terms of equipment cost.

I initially wanted to buy a used WiFi-enabled PDA so I could surf at the malls without having to bring my laptop (or even at home–in the bathroom, perhaps?). But then I thought I would have more utility from being able to surf practically anywhere than having a more portable device for surfing at hotspots.

Last January, Max Limpag was also thankful for WeRoam saving his day. So I guess it goes the same for me. WeRoam is my last resort–I’ll use it when there are no other connectivity options. It’s for those emergency days. It’s like a backup parachute. Or a side-arm (when my primary weapon runs out of ammo, so to speak).

But if there’s anyone out there with an old WiFi-enabled PDA for sale (or loan, or donation, heheh), give me a good deal, and I’ll see if I’ll bite.

Bayantel DSL is Slow. Bayantel DSL is slow these days. I’ve been getting very bad speedtest.net results, like 500+ ms ping times, and 100kbps speeds. And I’m using a 384kbps connection (which goes up to 768 because I use a really nifty trick to increase my speed).

Car expenses. I got my AdSense check in the mail a couple of weeks ago, but I ended up spending most of it in car repairs and maintenance. Who knew that a new battery + alternator replacement would cost so much. They’re not from the _casa_ or OEM Toyota, but they’re still expensive.

Oh, and I had an oil change, to boot. The mechanic at the Caltex service station corner of Kalayaan and Kamias was good–he pointed out to me the stuff I had to replace with my suspension (whereas some other shops wanted to change it all, which would cost me a whopping PhP 15k). I’m not really a Caltex guy (I prefer Petron Blaze), but this time I think I’ll come back to them come maintenance/repair/tune up time.

Community Blogs to Launch Soon. Three out of four of the community blogs I’m setting up are already up and running. Do check them out. I will make a formal announcement on the “Blog Herald”:http://www.blogherald.com when the fourth one is up. “Froodee”:http://www.froodee.com is for lifestyle, living, news and business. “Gadzooki”:http://www.gadzooki.com is for gadgets, software, technology, and cars. “Blog Tutorials”:http://www.blog-tutorials.com is for blog design, reviews, writing tips.

• At the hospital lobby. #
• Drinking Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon Spice. Yum (reminds me of dotPH; this was one of Joel’s favorites). #
• @rom maybe you can call them? the “username” and “password” are actually activation codes. click the BLAST WIFI link at AA.net. #
• @mparaz oh. it isn’t? heheh #
• someone hacked into my blog’s WP theme files. #
• @ademagnaye Someone emailed me that one of my posts had a ton of links to porn sites. And it was on the footer.php file! #
• @rom re the AA/bayantel date, I think it’s because sort of renewed every month. They had me wondering, too. #
• Just arrived home from the mall. We had no power at home for about 4 hours (power lines fell on the streets a couple of blocks away). #

• At the hospital lobby. #
• Drinking Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon Spice. Yum (reminds me of dotPH; this was one of Joel’s favorites). #
• @rom maybe you can call them? the “username” and “password” are actually activation codes. click the BLAST WIFI link at AA.net. #
• @mparaz oh. it isn’t? heheh #
• someone hacked into my blog’s WP theme files. #
• @ademagnaye Someone emailed me that one of my posts had a ton of links to porn sites. And it was on the footer.php file! #
• @rom re the AA/bayantel date, I think it’s because sort of renewed every month. They had me wondering, too. #
• Just arrived home from the mall. We had no power at home for about 4 hours (power lines fell on the streets a couple of blocks away). #

I was quite surprised with Abe’s latest post, where he shares that PLDT DSL is bundling in WiFi access with their plans. High-end plans get it free, while lower-end ones have to pay PhP 99 per month (promo price; regular price is PhP 199 per month) for unlimited access via AirborneAccess.

I was thinking of asking someone with PLDT DSL or even Smart BRO since my unlimited AA account has already run out.

But then I checked Bayantel’s promo page, and I discovered they’re offering a similar service. You just have to add PhP 99 to your DSL subscription monthly to get unlimited AirborneAccess access. This is good for 12 months, then afterwards the rate will be PhP 199.

That’s just an additional ~ $2 per month. Not bad! If you have to pay prepaid, then PhP 100 is just good for one hour!

This is great for us mobile workers/telecommuters. I used to enjoy unlimited WiFi much, since I sometimes worked at WiFi-enabled cafes instead of just staying at my home office. Since my unlimited account expired, I just used prepaid those few times I get to access at WiFi-enabled cafes.

AA reload is quite expensive compared to these bundled packages. I believe a month’s subscription will set you back PhP 950. A six month reload is PhP3,500, while a year’s reload is PhP 6,500. With these PhP 99 services, a year’s worth of unlimited access will just be PhP 1,118! Even if you make it PhP 199 per month, that’s just PHP 2,388 per year!

Now if they could just also hook up with Globe. Some areas are Globe WIZ only, like Greenbelt, Glorietta, etc. Count on the Ayalas to set up a WiFi monopoly in their territory!