How to get my exchange upgraded? - Peoples Republic Of Cork Discussion Forums

wayne gayle · #1 26-05-2011, 08:58 AM

Does anyone know how do I go about getting a telephone exchange upgraded (ie DSL-enabled)?
My parents live in a broadband blackspot; whenever I go home I can't d'load anything, it's real awkward.
I tried emailing the local TD but he said "since Eircom was privatised Government has no influence over their activities"
I could start a campaign but most people around there couldn't give a shit about broadband.

Smeggle · #2 26-05-2011, 09:10 AM

You can't and they won't... I know from experiance when we wanted the Kealkil exchange done. we just kept getting - next couple of months - couple of months...

Ballingeary had broadband before even parts of Cork city! This was down to Gov. stuff but still all the same.. Macroom didn't get sorted till after..

so basically it's go broadband or one of those private wifi companies or wait..

wayne gayle · #3 26-05-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeggle

You can't and they won't... I know from experiance when we wanted the Kealkil exchange done. we just kept getting - next couple of months - couple of months...

Ballingeary had broadband before even parts of Cork city! This was down to Gov. stuff but still all the same.. Macroom didn't get sorted till after..

so basically it's go broadband or one of those private wifi companies or wait..

Thanks smeg; I am not surprised there is cronyism involved in getting certain exchanges upgraded; even though I was told in that email that the governemnt have no influence over it.
I need a line of sight to some mountain in the middle of God knows where to get wireless but I dont think I have a line of sight to it.
There must be something I can do; I know you can set it up yourself if you get permission to put an aerial on a mountain and get a certain amout of people to sign up for it. Dunno if I'd have teh tech savvy or the resources to do it though.

Smeggle · #4 26-05-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne gayle

Thanks smeg; I am not surprised there is cronyism involved in getting certain exchanges upgraded; even though I was told in that email that the governemnt have no influence over it.
I need a line of sight to some mountain in the middle of God knows where to get wireless but I dont think I have a line of sight to it.
There must be something I can do; I know you can set it up yourself if you get permission to put an aerial on a mountain and get a certain amout of people to sign up for it. Dunno if I'd have teh tech savvy or the resources to do it though.

yer latter part there is relatively cheap - around 2k to get set up - a bunch of lads over Sneem set up a decent system.. http://www.sccbroadband.org/

Your other option is 3G - They have fixed obligations under the Gov. contract that they were given a year or so ago. Basically if the reception is poor they are obligated to come out and test and try a booster unit. If that doesn't work then either a repeater tower or failing that offer Satellite service.

satellites are pricey but costs have reduced in the last year or so but are still high..

Depends where ye are but I'd say get on to the guys at SCC via that link there - they'll be able to advice you better..

wayne gayle · #5 27-05-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeggle

yer latter part there is relatively cheap - around 2k to get set up - a bunch of lads over Sneem set up a decent system.. http://www.sccbroadband.org/

2k? Sure I could get that (http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/20...b__200x331.jpg)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeggle

Your other option is 3G - They have fixed obligations under the Gov. contract that they were given a year or so ago. Basically if the reception is poor they are obligated to come out and test and try a booster unit. If that doesn't work then either a repeater tower or failing that offer Satellite service.

satellites are pricey but costs have reduced in the last year or so but are still high..

Depends where ye are but I'd say get on to the guys at SCC via that link there - they'll be able to advice you better..

I have tried 3's modem; reception is shit, I didn't know if the reception is poor they are obligated to test it.
Didn't know

Smeggle · #6 27-05-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne gayle

2k? Sure I could get that (http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/20...b__200x331.jpg)

ye get together with folk in the area and I'm sure the guys in Sneem managed to get it part funded under grants - ye'd have to talk to them though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne gayle

I have tried 3's modem; reception is shit, I didn't know if the reception is poor they are obligated to test it.
Didn't know

They are obligated because they took on the 'National Broadband' scheme under the last Gov. Technically it was the last Gov's. way of saying 'Look everyone has broadband now' due to all the complaints they were having over the length of time it was taking to roll out broadband.

Partly the issue lies with Eircom who refused to allow other providers access to the exchanges to help with upgrading (BT Offered to do this I know for fact)..

Anyway, get on 3G and they will send someone out who will try you with a booster box. Little jobby that fits to a windows and is basically a signal amplifier. Mate of mine has one out at Rylane which is a poor coverage area.

What area are you in btw?

Give 3G a call is probably your best bet or look around to see if anyone is doing a private wifi service...

wayne gayle · #7 27-05-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeggle

Partly the issue lies with Eircom who refused to allow other providers access to the exchanges to help with upgrading (BT Offered to do this I know for fact)..

I know; shower of cockroaches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeggle

Anyway, get on 3G and they will send someone out who will try you with a booster box. Little jobby that fits to a windows and is basically a signal amplifier. Mate of mine has one out at Rylane which is a poor coverage area.

What area are you in btw?

Give 3G a call is probably your best bet or look around to see if anyone is doing a private wifi service...

I am near Newmarket, north-west Co. Cork. I will bend 3G's ear about the booster box yoke, worse that can happen is they tell me to piss off.
Amocom are the nearest private wifi service but I am out of their coverage too.

i_didnt_do_nawtin · #8 27-05-2011, 02:38 PM

face it, boggers will always have poor broadband speeds

Smeggle · #9 27-05-2011, 10:52 PM

http://www.broadbandatoz.ie/your-area.asp?id=2

according to that Newmarket is enabled so ye must be on one of small sub exchanges... Those will probably never be done or at least not for a good few years yet...

Personally I think it's a joke - if they had invested half as much into the Broadband infrastructure as they did into over development projects then Ireland would have a world class Broadband infrastructure ...

Part of the issue is they just will not invest in a wiring upgrade for one. The problem isn't as such the exchanges - the exchanges are more or less already digital so can easily carry broadband. The issue is that each user needs to have a single direct connection. That is more costly. They'd rather use the party line and have 5-6 users on the same line, use the clever little box that separates the calls and costs are kept minimal and profits maximised...

wayne gayle · #10 30-05-2011, 11:19 AM

Have given up on getting the exchange upgraded, instead I have been looking into the option of the National Brodband Scheme. 3 have the contract and their 3G coverage is fairly shit where my folks live.
Satellite is another option; Satellite Broadband Ireland have the contract under the National Broadband Scheme. It's only 1MB though, that's terrible.