Thinking of Switching Fibre Broadband - Recommendations Please

Martz5 on 22/06/2023 - 14:00
Last edited 22/06/2023 - 15:11 by 1 other user

With the increases in fibre broadband pricing, i'm keen to explore some alternatives.
I'm currently with Spark and will end up paying $97 per month for 300/100 and Netflix.

I've found a few cheaper options but have read mixed reviews and feedback.
Cheapest was 2degrees ($62) with their broadbandcompare deal, but alot of the comments mention their customer service is seriously lacking. Not sure how their actual performance is?
Then there's Skinny ($75) - haven't heard much about them. I know they use the Spark network, so does this mean in terms of performance, switching from Spark to Skinny would be identical? or are there some differences between the two?
I can also bundle broadband with Contact energy ($70), but haven't heard anything positive about them either…

So curious as to who your provider is, how much you currently pay and whether you'd recommend them or not?
Bonus if you can help identify whether or not they're increasing their prices too like Spark…

Thanks in advance

General Discussion Broadband Fibre Broadband

Comments

  • bigcheese on 22/06/2023 - 14:12
    +1

    I'm currently with Skinny having previously used 2degrees.

    I have found the performance to be fine with both providers. Straight forward enough to get connected and no issues with speed.
    The 2degrees call centre is awful though as they offer no call back facility and you could end up waiting an hour to speak to someone. If you think you won't need to speak to someone then it won't be a problem.

    I switched to Skinny just because my old plan was due to end and Skinny had a better offer. Currently I pay $75 per month with the first 3 months free, although they have had offers previously with 6 months free.

    All the broadband providers put their efforts into getting new customers so you will pretty much always be better switching at the end of your term.

    In regards to Netflix, I have that via Turkey and costs about $10 month (NZD) for the Premium plan.

  • Jizah on 22/06/2023 - 14:15

    Try Zeronet

    • sleepy on 22/06/2023 - 14:38

      they are the only ISP that charges connection fee…

      • Jizah on 22/06/2023 - 14:40

        Oh that wasn't the case for me. And on top of already being the cheapest when I looked, they are also offering 4 months half price.

  • kyogui on 22/06/2023 - 14:19
    +2

    Just go with the cheapest, or whoever gives you the best bundle deal. If you are in Auckland then you are using Chorus's fiber network. Personally I haven't had the need to talk to my ISP for a few years now as I generally don't have any issue with internet. If say you loss internet and your router is fine then it's more to do with Chorus than your ISP.

  • sleepy on 22/06/2023 - 14:39

    I did a search on both Glimp and Broadband compare, is there another website(s) I should search? Thanks

  • spam on 22/06/2023 - 15:05
    +1

    I was in your position, considering 2degrees but was advised to stay away from them due to their customer support (Wife WFH, so may need to occassional support).

    Ended up bundling with Contact. It is fine for me and no issues so far apart from the connection day where I had to switch the ONT port from Port 1 to Port 2 as they open the connection on Port 2 for me. Restart the modem and works right away.

    Deciding to just use Contact instead of the hassle and save $8/month. Tricky bit is if we decided to move power, then will be on the hunt for broadband provider.

    • Martz5 on 23/06/2023 - 15:51

      Are you using a Contact supplied router? If so, do you mind if i asked what model router was supplied? They seem to have a few different ones on their website.

      • spam on 23/06/2023 - 19:45
        +1

        Sorry, Im using my own, which is an Asus ac-86u. Reading from the web the supplied router would be TP-Link x55 or TP-Link Hx510.

        From when I joined the supplied one was TP-Link x55 only, so perhaps they introduced more variant now

        • Martz5 on 26/06/2023 - 14:27

          Sorry do you mind if i ask, when changing providers, did you have to notify your existing provider? Or will Contact do that on your behalf? And what was the timeframe from when you joined Contact to getting connected and up and running? Thanks

          • spam on 26/06/2023 - 14:56
            +1

            @Martz5: Ok, so here's what I did when I changed to Contact:

            Rang Contact to say that I wanted to join their broadband with what I want the connection date. ~This depends on your current provider and you will need to check their T&C on what the termination days is required. I had 30 days termination notice so I scheduled the connection date with Contact 1-month ahead.

            Once Contact confirmed that they have set up the scheduled connection date, I rang my old provider back and says along the line of "consider this is my 30 days notice of closing my account etc." They might ask why you're leaving etc. and might offer you contract to keep you to stay; its up to you what do you do in this step. In my case, I insisted that I wanted to leave.
            — some provider will do this step for you, however I have been burned in the past and they didn't do it on your behalf so I did this myself this time to make sure they know that I'm leaving. If you want, you could ask for an email confirmation so that you have that in writings so if they screwed up and bill you for another month, you have something to fight with and get an easy refund.

            Wait for the connection date. I think the day before Chorus texted me the scheduled connection time for the next day and reminded that the connection is on Port 2 of ONT.

            On connection date, at the specified time (+/- an hour I think) the internet cut off. Switch over the connection on the ONT to Port 2 then reboot my router. I think I had to fiddle with the settings as described in Contact page (depending on what router you have, if you opt to use their router, you may not need to change the settings). I'm connected within 10mins again.

            So far I haven't got any issue apart from getting them to confirm the bonus month as I got charged the first month where it's supposed to be free.

            Hoped that help, but I find that when I joined, Contact broadband tech support helped me go through the process (they're the one that suggested the Port 2 connection to ensure that I have connection and could opt for few days overlap should you chose to)

          • spam on 04/08/2023 - 22:17

            @budget: Not sure. I use my own router so didn't get their router

      • Zyo on 01/07/2023 - 21:53
        +1

        Contact uses devoli for their fiber broadband and it's without a doubt the worse broadband performance I have ever encountered.

  • ace310 on 22/06/2023 - 15:37
    +1

    Agree with almost all the comments above.

    I change every 12 months, with who ever has the best deal at the time. In auckland, it's chorus so speed is mostly same. Currently with skinny and absolutely no issues at all. Have used Skinny, slingshot, orcon, Stuff-fibre, Electric Kiwi. Hardly had to contact any of them so can't speak about customer service.

    For netflix using it via turkey is the best bet. For me the best deal is when it's either 3-4months free(6 months half price), I don't bother with addons and have always found bundles bit expensive.

    • Jexla on 22/06/2023 - 21:43
      +1

      There's so much more to an ISP than the fibre provider being chorus….

      • ace310 on 22/06/2023 - 21:46

        I totally agree. But in most cases the problem is with the router/modem.

    • nzmax on 23/06/2023 - 00:52

      Can you reuse your Skinny modem with any ISP without too much hassle? I recall sometime ago that some ISPs used to lock down their modems that they used to give to new customers from being used with other ISPs.

      • ace310 on 23/06/2023 - 04:59

        Most of them work. I have my own router and hardly use isp one. But all of the provider above i mention can use same skinny modem.

  • Martz5 on 22/06/2023 - 15:41

    Thanks for the replies.
    I’m in Wellington, which means i’m on a Chorus network.
    Does this mean the performance and reliability should be identical regardless of who I switch to?
    I’ve been with Spark for many years and have never experienced any outages or issues which required me to contact them for support. Hoping the reliability will be similar with a new provider?

    • Toddy47 on 22/06/2023 - 16:44

      A majority of issues with Fibre relates to the router or WiFi. Each ISP is required to advertise their average speed for their Fibre plans and you'll see they are all about the same. There really isn't really an issue with congestion for ISPs as most bandwidth is used within NZ where there is a ton of capacity.

    • Jexla on 22/06/2023 - 21:45
      +1

      No not at all. Each ISP has to pay for international bandwidth. Think of it as a pipe and the more they pay the bigger the pipe they get. The more subscribers they have the more they will put in to this. The more old people with the provider not using their share means the more you get to use. There's a fair bit more to it than this too, but this is one of the largest factors.

  • peters on 22/06/2023 - 22:17

    I switched to 2degrees and all my smart home stuff stoped working. Apparently it's because they use CGNAT so no good if you have any smart home things.

    • Jexla on 22/06/2023 - 22:18

      That's why you need a static IP. They'll usually give you one for free if you complain about it breaking things.

      • Alan6984 on 22/06/2023 - 22:22
        -1

        Having a static IP within a CGNAT address range isn't going to help much, if at all - it still won't be routeable from the public internet.

        You would need a publicly routeable IP address. If it is static, it would be convenient, but you can use a Dynamic DNS provider if not.

        • Jexla on 22/06/2023 - 22:32

          Static IP's aren't in CGNAT.

          • Alan6984 on 22/06/2023 - 22:50
            -1

            @Jexla: Of course they can be - you can have a Static IP in any address range, either setup within the device getting the IP (not ideal) or if the device is using DHCP, then in the DHCP Server.

            Static / Dynamic is orthogonal to Non-routable / NAT / CGNAT / Public / Routable.

            • Jexla on 22/06/2023 - 23:07
              +1

              @Alan6984: You're being silly. You know what I'm saying. If you opt for a static IP with an NZ ISP you will not be behind CGNAT. Simple as that.

              • Alan6984 on 22/06/2023 - 23:25

                @Jexla: I suspect what you are attempting to say is that they need to get a publicly routeable IP.

                There is no absolute need for it to be static though - Dynamic DNS will probably work for them.

                I don't know what your home setup is, and you may not have set it up yourself, but if not, and you ask whoever did, you might well find that one or more devices in your home network have static IPs. Having a static IP does not, in and of itself, make the device reachable from the public internet.

                • tazomatalax on 23/06/2023 - 08:56

                  @Alan6984: Dynamic DNS such as duckdns will not allow your home IP to be accessible from public internet behind CGNAT.
                  It is a pain in the but if you're hosting web services. The IP assigned to your router is different from the public facing IP. I have tried. A static IP will give you access.
                  And it's really nice to know this about 2degrees as I was just about to switch, so thanks!

                  • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 09:04

                    @tazomatalax: Your assertion that a Static IP will inherently give you aCcess from the public internet is not correct. You could have a Static IP in ANY network, including within a CGNAT range.

                    What you need to get external access is a fully ROUTEABLE IP. With that, you don't necessarily need a Static IP - Dynamic DNS will likely work for you..

                    You are confusing two entirely separate things.

    • Alan6984 on 22/06/2023 - 22:21

      CGNAT can be a pain if you want to be able to access your home LAN from the wider internet - it would be a deal breaker for me personally, but I suspect the vast majority of people won't even know / notice / care.

      Depending on your Smart Home stuff, you might be able to login via an external website (say), but that might imply a significant privacy concern.

      • Joshyss on 01/07/2023 - 06:14

        Hi Alan,

        So if I were to switch my fibre to 2degrees, I wouldn’t be able to access my eufy camera system from my phone when I’m out and about anymore, is that correct?

        • Alan6984 on 01/07/2023 - 13:46

          Without knowing exactly how the Eufy Camera System works, I cannot be sure.

          If 2Degrees gives your modem / router a CGNAT address, you won't be able to connect directly into it (and then on into your camera 'system') from the public internet in general.

          However, it is possible that the camera system connects outwards to, say, a server owned by Eufy which is storing / displaying the camera feeds, and you connect to that server while you are out and about to view that video. If so, then it could still work, albeit with an horrendous privacy issue (in my opinion at least - you might not care all that much yourself, and if so, then fair enough).

          Alternatively, you might be able to get a publicly routeable IP address from 2Degrees, either by paying or just asking - no idea on that, but no harm in asking the question.

          Hope that helps,

          Alan.

          • Joshyss on 02/07/2023 - 21:52

            @Alan6984: Thank you for taking the time to reply. I might steer clear just incase.

    • Martz5 on 23/06/2023 - 09:28

      Is CGNAT bad for gaming? Due to the additional routing etc

      • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 09:35

        CGNAT does not inherently imply any additional routing (although it might depending on how the ISP has their network setup, but that is true regardless of whether you get a CGNAT or fully routeable IP address).

        If you are connecting outwards only, then there is no inherent downside to CGNAT in that respect. However, if you want to allow others to connect in to, say, a (gaming) server you are running, then CGNAT would almost certainly stop that from working. If the other person(s) happened to be with the same ISP, and on the same CGNAT network, then it might be possible to connect into you, but that is probably unlikely, and the ISP could still block any connection attempts regardless (similar to some ISPs blocking all connection attempts to Port 25 by default and you have to ask to be unblocked).

      • justaddwater on 26/06/2023 - 14:24

        You might have problem hosting games

        You might have problem torrenting (seeding)

  • cutcutcut on 23/06/2023 - 08:40

    I've been with 2degrees for 5 years, their customer support has gotten worse recently. The only time I've had to contact them was to try and get better deals, the end of last year, it took ages to get hold of anybody but they gave me a great deal on their ultimate unlimited plan, $90 a month plus free Amazon Prime video for a year. I've stuck with them because they also give me a free static ip which they gave me after they went CGNAT and it broke my plex server.

    I've also heard good things about voyager.

  • 0mfgroflmao on 23/06/2023 - 08:46

    I'm with NowNZ, great support, local NZ helpdesk, and they usually do a 6 month half price deal for a 12 month contract (check on glimp etc).

    • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 09:39

      Is NowNZ available all over the country, or just around Hawkes Bay?

      Someone else was 'extolling their virtues' to me recently, but I had it in my head (quite probably incorrectly) that they only served customers in HB.

      • bigcheese on 23/06/2023 - 09:51

        Looks like it's nationwide.
        Just tested my Christchurch address and some in Auckland and they all were available.

        https://www.nownz.co.nz/

      • spam on 23/06/2023 - 10:12

        Definitely not just in HB.

        I was their customer prior to moving to Contact and in Auckland. Only trick is that the web thinks that you're in HB (e.g. Paknsave online web thinks that your local store is in Napier)

      • 0mfgroflmao on 23/06/2023 - 11:04

        They're nationwide (I'm in Palmerston North), I think their head office is in Hawkes bay.

      • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 11:52

        Cool - thanks guys.

        I am out of contract soon, so will look out for a deal. six months half price seems to be a 25% discount.

    • Jexla on 23/06/2023 - 17:03

      They're mostly fine, but I had them disconnect a business fiber connection over a 1 day late payment when an invoice was missed at a previous job. Wasn't very impressed with this and am now hesitant to suggest them.

      • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 17:06

        That's pretty scary.

        Think I will steer clear, even though I'd hope to never be late paying, you never know.

        Thanks!

        • Jexla on 23/06/2023 - 17:07

          I doubt you'd be in that situation in a personal situation, but as a business this cost my work thousands of dollars over a $130 invoice.

          • Alan6984 on 23/06/2023 - 19:02

            @Jexla: I run a business from home (partially), so it could be a significant issue for me, and for clients.

            Probably best to avoid them for me at least.

  • thesla on 23/06/2023 - 23:26

    Anyone use Flip.co.nz ? 60ish per month
    I use them in the broadband era …. And last year, used them to get matching price for my current provider (my republic).

  • Joshyss on 24/06/2023 - 07:17

    I’m with skinny and after having previously used, orcon, Vodafone, slingshot, now and 2 degrees off the top of my head and never seemed to have any problems until I used skinny. The fibre drops out multiple times a week. Their support isn’t the best either. I will never use them again that’s for sure.

    • ace310 on 24/06/2023 - 10:44

      Have you ruled out router issues? Are you using isp router or your own? I am with skinny since 10 months and never had a single issue.

  • CarterNZ on 24/06/2023 - 18:45

    Went from skinny to 2degrees due to the offer they had running beginning of year. As you mentioned, their call centre is hell to get through. I've found if you email through, they now respond within 2 days so that's good, as long as its not something criritcal

  • asterix on 26/06/2023 - 15:14

    Never called Skinny support since I've never had issues with them.

    Switched to 2 Degrees recently after my previous contract with another provider expired, and I find their call center and email support relatively acceptable. That said, I still have issues with their service (not getting the expected speed) and because of that, wouldn't recommend them.

    • bigcheese on 26/06/2023 - 15:30
      +1

      Make sure 2degrees are not throttling your speed.
      I had exactly the same problem when I was with them and had signed onto the gigabit plan but wasn't getting anywhere near the expected speed even when connected by cable instead of WiFi.
      Once they ran a few tests they got it fixed and I got what I was payng for.

      • asterix on 27/06/2023 - 06:44

        That seems to be the case. Before switching to 2degrees I could easily get speeds just under a Gigabit. Now they're saying it could be to different factors like home network set-up (which could be true). However, the only change I've had was to switch to 2degrees.

        Still working thru the issue with them. Not ideal but looking to get this resolve soon.

  • Mohan on 26/06/2023 - 16:08

    Check if you have HFC available with vodafone in your address, its $53 per month and you get over 500mbps.(been with them for a year, no issues) https://one.nz/broadband/ultra-fast-hfc/

    • asterix on 27/06/2023 - 06:45

      Interesting. Unfortunately, "HFC broadband is exclusively available in parts of Christchurch, Wellington, and Kapiti."

  • sagnikd on 27/06/2023 - 11:54
    +1

    Just got an email from Skinny that they are upping their prices by 5$ from 1st August even for fixed term customers. I am on open term and looking for options.
    I am with Contact for power and can add on broadband for 70$, whereas 2degrees 62$ seems more enticing. Had previously used 2degrees with no issues. I will continue using the Skinny modem and trying to figure out what would be the best to go with overall and if someone has other suggestions as well. TIA.

    • ace310 on 27/06/2023 - 12:14

      Yup. Got that as well. So the price would be $95/month. My term ends mid-august, so technically I can break before 1st Aug and move on.

      I am with Contact for power as well, but don't like to bundle power & broadband. Normally, that increases the power prices as I am on 9-midnight free plan which is open term. Please comment when you decide. Don't want to deal with 2D due to all issues reported.

      Will try to look for options as well.

      • sagnikd on 27/06/2023 - 13:16

        You wouldn't need to bundle the broadband with power for Contact if you choose to get broadband from them. There are bundled plans and there's also the option to add on broadband as an independent service which does not alter your power prices. The broadband would be open term as well.

        • ace310 on 27/06/2023 - 13:17

          I haven't looked, but mostly to keep broadband service you need to have power with them. I might be wrong for contact. Just thinking in case when I switch power.

          • sagnikd on 27/06/2023 - 13:56

            @ace310: Correct, you need to have power with Contact but don't need to switch to a bundle plan and get to keep your rates as in.

            • ace310 on 27/06/2023 - 13:58

              @sagnikd: Just checked, slingshot has 4 months free then $109/m. Total comes to $872/yr. Deal is via Glimp. Contact broadband will be $85/m, so $1020/yr.

              Skinny also offering 4 months free. I might contact support as ask for a deal, if I can get 3 months free with $90 lock in would be good.

              • sagnikd on 27/06/2023 - 14:18

                @ace310: Cool, will check as well.

              • Elvino on 27/06/2023 - 14:40

                @ace310: Skinny 4 months free is only on the lowest <27Mbps plan. The rest are only 1 month free (Unless youre seeing something different)?

                • ace310 on 27/06/2023 - 14:53

                  @Elvino: Ohh yes you are right. Scroll too fast and didn't read fine print.

      • spam on 27/06/2023 - 19:34

        You don't get an increased power price if you add broadband with good night plan unless you switch to their broadband bundle plan. From memory the broadband will be $75/month unless you go with the broadband plan?

        When i joined it was during promotion that i can get 70/month even on good night plan

        • ace310 on 27/06/2023 - 20:18

          Getting $80/m for max fibre.

    • sagnikd on 03/07/2023 - 05:18
      +2

      Have signed up with 2degrees through BroadBand Compare. 300/100, 1yr contract, 62$/month

      • Martz5 on 03/07/2023 - 08:50

        How are you finding their service? Customer and fibre?

        • sagnikd on 03/07/2023 - 13:32

          Just signed up, contract will start in August. Will let you know of any issues. I had been with 2degrees previously for 2.5 years with no issues, fingers crossed

          • curiousb on 12/07/2024 - 22:22

            @sagnikd: Just curious, thinking of doing 2degrees through broadbandcompare. Looks like it has almost been a year with them for you. Are they raising your prices at the 1 year mark? I just like to know in advance what their long-term strategy is, haha

            • Dunno on 12/07/2024 - 22:28

              @curiousb: Yes its a limited time promo pricing then it goes up once your term is over. The broadbandcompare site should tell what what price it increases too.

              • curiousb on 12/07/2024 - 22:32

                @Dunno: Thanks, good to know that it definitely goes up.

                I think broadbandcompare only tells you what price it will go up to if the offer is 1-6 months at a low price on a 12 month term and the rest at a higher price. but this offer is the same price for the full 12 months, so it doesn't say.

                Eyeing up the $71 Fibre 300/100 plan. Guessing they'll just turn it into the standard 2degrees pricing on their normal website after a year, that's a big jump though (93 per month..)

                Have heard of people calling up and getting new offers when threatening to leave though. Curious what they would be too

            • sagnikd on 13/07/2024 - 08:06

              @curiousb: Never heard anything from them so I rang up to ask for retention benefit. The Customer service team adviced me they were willing to give me a 300/100 plan for 78$ on a 1 year contract with the first month free.
              I have eventually signed up for Slingshot through Fastconnect at 59.95$ on 300/100 on a 1yr contract, BYO modem.

              • curiousb on 15/07/2024 - 11:28

                @sagnikd: Thank you, good to know. 2Degrees remind me of Mercury Energy, both are companies that will reel you in with a great first offer before they punish you if you don't leave them after the initial term. I know people say all companies are like that, but some are worse than others. Makes it hard to recommend them to anyone.

        • ace310 on 03/07/2023 - 13:39

          I am thinking of going with Slingshot on 900mb plan. Currently offering 4months free. Trying to stay away from 2D.

  • justaddwater on 29/06/2023 - 17:03
    +1

    Skinny +$5/month

    What are my options?

    We'd love you to stay with Skinny, but you do have the option to cancel your Skinny broadband due to this price increase. If that's what you want to do then contact-us by 1 September 2023 and you won't have to pay early termination fees if you're on a fixed term contract.

    Has anyone left skinny recently while under fixed term contract? Can you share your experience

    • Joshyss on 30/06/2023 - 17:35
      +2

      I’m in that boat, just about to look for a new plan now!

      • Joshyss on 30/06/2023 - 19:37

        2deg $62/mo for 12 months, $15 router fee… $759 total for 12 months… anything better?

  • Martz5 on 30/06/2023 - 11:21

    Is myrepublic the only provider that offers a new router (rental) without being locked into a 12 month contract?

  • ace310 on 30/06/2023 - 11:36

    Bit off topic but is there a way to figure out which provider has CGNAT ?

    • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 12:08

      Only ways to be sure (that I know of) is to either experience it, or ask.

      It would be great to find someone has done the hard work and posted it online as part of a comparison - might be out there perhaps….

    • justaddwater on 30/06/2023 - 12:10

      All off them?

      Except if you get/buy a public ip or static ip?

      • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 12:17

        I have never gotten a CGNAT address (at least up to now) by default on a fibre / DSL (any variant), or even dial-up (back in the day) connection.

        I have always (at least in the last ten years I would say) gotten a CGNAT address from my mobile providers though.

        However, maybe things have changed recently?

        • justaddwater on 30/06/2023 - 15:13

          Ive always had a cgnat except that one time with bigpipe when they gave public ip for free

          • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 15:19

            @justaddwater: Interesting - what is the list of ISPs that gave you CGNAT?

            I've been with the following over the last seven or eight years, and never had a CGNAT address (by default):

            Vodafone
            Orcon
            Spark
            Stuff
            Slingshot

            • ace310 on 30/06/2023 - 15:20

              @Alan6984: Hmm. I thought stuff & slingshot had/has CGNAT

              • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 15:26
                +1

                @ace310: Well, as I said above, it is possible something has changed recently, but I am with Slingshot right now, and they have never given me a CGNAT address, and I never had to ask or pay anything extra to get a Publicly Routeable IP.

                Stuff was the same - I always had a Publicly Routeable IP with them (now absorbed into Slingshot I believe) and no extra charge.

                Maybe I was just lucky - no way of being sure.

                I believe that many (maybe all but I could not say for sure) will charge for a Fixed IP, but even that that is rarely an actual requirement if you use Dynamic DNS.

            • justaddwater on 30/06/2023 - 15:45

              @Alan6984: when i say cgnat, i mean i had problems with seeding torrents.

              i dont actually check if an ip is cgnat or public.

              is there a way to check this?

              • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 16:11
                +1

                @justaddwater: CGNAT means that your WAN-side IP address will be in the range:

                100.64.0.0 / 10

                or if you prefer:

                100.64.0.0 through 100.127.255.255 inclusive

                Similar to the 'classic' private ranges (one or more of which you likely use within your LAN):

                10 / 8
                172.16 / 12
                192.168 / 16

                That means it is not 'reachable' from the public internet, as routers won't route to those addresses from 'outside'. Some ISPs used to use the 10 / 8 range for this, but that causes problems if it conflicts with peoples LANs (pretty sure Spark did that maybe fifteen years ago, but my memory might be failing me there) which is why the CGNAT range was instigated.

                Your most external modem / router (the one that connects to your ISP if you utilise more than one) should show your (its) WAN-side IP - if it in the CGNAT range then you are subject to that. If you also search on the web to determine your apparent public IP, such as:

                https://www.whatismyip.com/

                and the two don't match, then routing to you will be difficult or impossible, as the public IP you are accessing the wider internet from (as shown in the above website) is a single IP being 'shared' by many of your ISP's customer.

                In theory, you can still 'torrent' with a CGNAT address, but other people won't be able to connect to you (hence the issue with seeding), so your speeds will often be impacted - many people won't allow you to download from them if you can't be reached to also upload to the swarm.

                HTH,

                Alan.

                • thesla on 02/07/2023 - 17:24

                  @Alan6984: Right now, at home: My Republic:
                  WAN IP: 10.10.175.0/17
                  Public IP: 101.100.131.9

                  CGNAT right ?

                  • ace310 on 02/07/2023 - 17:33

                    @thesla: You can find out using this guide

                    Fyi: my skinny connection doesn't have cgnat.

                    • thesla on 02/07/2023 - 17:39

                      @ace310: I am pretty sure what Alan said is enough: if your WAN IP is in the Private range and your Public is also different from your WAN,, it's pretty certain that you are CGNAT
                      I was just making my point that CGNAT now is qutie common as there are less and less public IPV4 available in the world

                  • Alan6984 on 02/07/2023 - 18:26

                    @thesla:

                    Right now, at home: My Republic:
                    WAN IP: 10.10.175.0/17
                    Public IP: 101.100.131.9

                    CGNAT right ?

                    No - your WAN-side IP address is in a private range (10 / 8), rather than a CGNAT range.

                    That's actually even worse as I noted above, as it means you would be restricted even in the options within your own LAN in that you can't overlap with 10.10.175.0 / 17.

                    However, the practical effect will (generally) be the same, as it is non-routeable, so you won't be able to get any connections initiated from the public internet.

                    I was just making my point that CGNAT now is qutie common as there are less and less public IPV4 available in the world

                    Yes - which is why we will all (eventually) move to IPv6, which is 128-bit space, rather than the 32-bit space for IPv4. From a practical perspective, the 128-bit space is so immense that there is no way that will get depleted in any foreseeable future :-)

                  • NovaAlpha on 02/07/2023 - 22:53
                    +1

                    @thesla: I'm with My Republic and have a free static IP. Just complain to them that you don't like CGNat until they give up and give you the static IP.

                    I pay $69 per month. I do speedtests often and get consistently 315 down / 105 up. No jitter and very low ping.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join