Xplornet Sucks
Jan.18.2010
Too many users. Not enough capacity.
Over Christmas, my “high-speed” Internet service, provided by Xplornet, became remarkably slow. Even slower than the ridiculous traffic management policy finally revealed on the Xplornet site.
Download speeds were hitting point 2 to point 4 megabits. Translation? S-L-O-W.
The service prior to Christmas was acceptable. Certainly not consistent with the marketing pitch but good enough for casual browsing. I would get upwards of 5 megabits down although the traffic management would cut in and reduce the speed to 20 percent of the 5 megabit rate after 6 to 8 megabytes of data. So, even though I spend 65 dollars a month for a 5 megabit service, I am only getting a fraction of that service for typical Internet usage.
And now, I am getting a fraction of that fraction.
After measuring the service over the past 24 hours, and after spending a couple of hours with multiple levels of support, I was able to confirm the obvious: an oversubscribed tower.
The third level support conceded that there was a “traffic problem” with the tower and that a request for an upgrade had been received. However, there was no ETA for the upgrade. 3 months? 6 months? A year?
No idea.
I told the support person that it seemed odd that I should be paying 65 dollars a month, or almost 800 dollars a year, for a service level that was not being delivered at the rated speed.
He tried to tell me that the service was achieving at least the 1 megabit down during peak time. Which apparently is acceptable in their usage policy. What a joke. Sure, the first 2 or 3 megabytes of data now come in at the new “high speed” of 1 megabit, or 20 percent of the 5 megabit service. And the remainder comes in at about .2 megabits, or 20 percent of the 20 percent. Which pretty much makes the Internet unusable in our household of geeks. Which means that I am being charged for a service that I am not receiving.
Avoid Xplornet if you possibly can. The service is an absolute rip-off.
I have collected pictures of some of the most stunning recording studios in the world and you can travel through the set by clicking 
It seems you are not alone.
http://www.xplornetsucks.com/forums/
You may find some tweaks / tips / FAQs to squeeze a little more performance out of your connection. Or just knowing this site exists might bring you some comfort!
I had dropped by the site. And I suppose it did bring some degree of comfort… misery loves company
I remember years ago when that was my only option – over the air internet. And you are right, it is slow.
But remember this, there is an option .. dial up. In other words, it could be way worse! There could be no tower.
Just look out that window … remember the great view (smile) .. the country versus Newmarket, a small lot, traffic and fast internet!
No doubt that we enjoy a wonderful life with many blessings. Now, if only I could get fiber to the house
A fraction of a fraction? sounds like the company’s trying to rip some people off.
Like many things in life, it is always a good thing to honor your commitments. In this case, the company is not delivering what it promised.
so pretty much… they are not delivering what they promised? if it’s a yes it still sounds like a rip off.
Speed on these systems is relative, and the fact that this company gets satellite TV installers in the local areas to install these systems should be an indication of what you are about to get. Even Bell isn’t that dumb. Everyone knows that sat tv installers are paid by the job so…like they care. Put it up and …NEXT.
The word on the street in the nations capital is that they are in financialhardship (ya think!), of course no comment when I called to inquire, but I found it funny that the person I was corresponding with on this, suddenly stopped emailing me back.
Came to find out the person who was telling me there were no problems, had just bailed for another opportunity>>>>>HMMMMMMM?????