November Edition 2018
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Super fast Internet
Super fast Internet
The SIRO 1Gb/s internet network is now active in our local area and we're hearing positive reviews with impressive performance results. Some users have discovered their devices don't get the 1Gb/s speed promised so we explain what's going on.
As we previously reported the new SIRO internet network is different by having the fibre cable brought directly into your home. It has the potential to take the home internet experience to a seriously high level of performance and capability.
As we previously reported the new SIRO internet network is different by having the fibre cable brought directly into your home. It has the potential to take the home internet experience to a seriously high level of performance and capability.
The SIRO Experience
The SIRO Experience
Installation is completed by an engineer fairly quickly with a new internet WiFi Router and a connecting cable from the electrical junction box outside on the pavement.
Installation is completed by an engineer fairly quickly with a new internet WiFi Router and a connecting cable from the electrical junction box outside on the pavement.
Customers have reported increased performance speed when downloading music and video, on demand TV is flawless and instant, video conference has improved (but still depends on the other caller too), and surfing the internet in general is noticeably quicker too.
Customers have reported increased performance speed when downloading music and video, on demand TV is flawless and instant, video conference has improved (but still depends on the other caller too), and surfing the internet in general is noticeably quicker too.
Having the new WiFi router means it's a great opportunity to relocate it for better home coverage. The WiFi transmission distance hasn't changed much but signal strength over a greater distance has been improved if you are upgrading from an older router.
Having the new WiFi router means it's a great opportunity to relocate it for better home coverage. The WiFi transmission distance hasn't changed much but signal strength over a greater distance has been improved if you are upgrading from an older router.
Local Performance Results
Local Performance Results
Performance results of 980Mb/s connection speeds have been recorded when connected directly with a cable.
Performance results of 980Mb/s connection speeds have been recorded when connected directly with a cable.
Even though the new network is without doubt significantly faster than everything else currently available some customers have identified what we mentioned in our previous article.
Even though the new network is without doubt significantly faster than everything else currently available some customers have identified what we mentioned in our previous article.
Internet Speed is dependent on numerous factors and the Customer's personal computer technology is one of them.
Internet Speed is dependent on numerous factors and the Customer's personal computer technology is one of them.
Connection issues with some online TV subscriptions have been reported and when we hear about the solutions we'll pass them on. Some users have reverted back to the traditional broadband in these extreme instances.
Connection issues with some online TV subscriptions have been reported and when we hear about the solutions we'll pass them on. Some users have reverted back to the traditional broadband in these extreme instances.
WiFi speed has been the biggest surprise to many.
WiFi speed has been the biggest surprise to many.
Imagine a newly created clear motorway with a speed limit of 1000 km/h.
Imagine a newly created clear motorway with a speed limit of 1000 km/h.
My 15yr old, 1.2ltr, car is unlikely to even reach 150 km/h.
My 15yr old, 1.2ltr, car is unlikely to even reach 150 km/h.
WiFi Speed has a similar problem
WiFi Speed has a similar problem
The huge jump up to a 1Gb/s connection is way beyond almost every WiFi enabled device on the market.
The huge jump up to a 1Gb/s connection is way beyond almost every WiFi enabled device on the market.
This is not a deal breaker since double the WiFi speed without congestion and performance drop is remarkable improvement for roughly the same price as other contracts.
This is not a deal breaker since double the WiFi speed without congestion and performance drop is remarkable improvement for roughly the same price as other contracts.
Local Test Results
Local Test Results
As a base line comparison these results were obtained using a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone (from a distance of 2m from WiFi router).
As a base line comparison these results were obtained using a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone (from a distance of 2m from WiFi router).
4G Mobile broadband
4G Mobile broadband
Download speed 15Mb/s
Download speed 15Mb/s
100MBs Vodafone:
100MBs Vodafone:
WiFi result 60Mb/s
WiFi result 60Mb/s
SIRO
SIRO
WiFi result 150Mb/s
WiFi result 150Mb/s
You Expected More ?
You Expected More ?
It is nowhere near the 980Mb/s recorded network cabled connection speed.
It is nowhere near the 980Mb/s recorded network cabled connection speed.
WiFi uses a radio signal which provides a weaker connection than the direct cable caused by transfer speed, distance from the router, obstructions like walls and interference from other connected devices, other internet signals and even telephones, microwaves and other SMART devices.
WiFi uses a radio signal which provides a weaker connection than the direct cable caused by transfer speed, distance from the router, obstructions like walls and interference from other connected devices, other internet signals and even telephones, microwaves and other SMART devices.
WiFi routers can utilise one of 2 operating frequencies that balance performance speed against distance.
WiFi routers can utilise one of 2 operating frequencies that balance performance speed against distance.
- 5GHz provides faster data rates but at a shorter distance.
- 2.4GHz provides slower data rates but at a greater distance.
Transmission distance can be boosted using a WiFi Range Extender which have different prices depending on their performance speed capabilities.
Transmission distance can be boosted using a WiFi Range Extender which have different prices depending on their performance speed capabilities.
HOWEVER
HOWEVER
Not one of my WiFi enabled devices is physically capable of receiving speeds beyond 150Mb/s.
Not one of my WiFi enabled devices is physically capable of receiving speeds beyond 150Mb/s.
What can you do?
What can you do?
Up to this point you're highly unlikely to even know what WiFi chip is in any of your devices. It's unlikely to have been a major selling point when you bought your smartphone or laptop.
Up to this point you're highly unlikely to even know what WiFi chip is in any of your devices. It's unlikely to have been a major selling point when you bought your smartphone or laptop.
Smartphone:
Smartphone:
With your existing smartphone you simply can't do anything. The fixed receiving antenna (or antennas) within your device chip is the weak point and limiting factor.
With your existing smartphone you simply can't do anything. The fixed receiving antenna (or antennas) within your device chip is the weak point and limiting factor.
The only smartphone that we're aware of that can takes advantage of the new network is the latest Samsung S9 which is theoretically able to operate at 1.3Gb/s connection speeds.
The only smartphone that we're aware of that can takes advantage of the new network is the latest Samsung S9 which is theoretically able to operate at 1.3Gb/s connection speeds.
Laptop and PC users
Laptop and PC users
Depending on the age of the device and its USB slot speed type (1,2 or 3) you might not see a huge improvement although upgrading to a €20 USB receiver might improve strength and distance.
Depending on the age of the device and its USB slot speed type (1,2 or 3) you might not see a huge improvement although upgrading to a €20 USB receiver might improve strength and distance.
Other Devices
Other Devices
Google Chromecast as one TV example reaches 54 Mbps speed on 5Ghz and 20 Mbps on 2.4GHz but still manages to produce high quality performance.
Google Chromecast as one TV example reaches 54 Mbps speed on 5Ghz and 20 Mbps on 2.4GHz but still manages to produce high quality performance.
SMART TV's will also be limited by their device chip yet still produce stunning image and sound.
SMART TV's will also be limited by their device chip yet still produce stunning image and sound.
Your Device Chip
Your Device Chip
You can 'google' your devices maximum WiFi Speed connection which will fall into a group of ranges depending on which chip it uses. The latest WiFi devices have incredibly boring chip names but the latest is called 802.11 ac with older versions being 802.11 a/b/g/n.
You can 'google' your devices maximum WiFi Speed connection which will fall into a group of ranges depending on which chip it uses. The latest WiFi devices have incredibly boring chip names but the latest is called 802.11 ac with older versions being 802.11 a/b/g/n.
Tell Us Your Speed Results.
Tell Us Your Speed Results.
If you have SIRO then run a speed check whilst standing close to the WiFi router and send in your result together with smartphone model.
If you have SIRO then run a speed check whilst standing close to the WiFi router and send in your result together with smartphone model.
We'll update this page with the results to enable viewers to compare performance.
We'll update this page with the results to enable viewers to compare performance.
Is this a Deal Breaker?
Is this a Deal Breaker?
Lets be realistic and simply say that if you have need for greater speed at roughly the same contract price then SIRO offers a huge improvement regardless of WiFi restrictions.
Lets be realistic and simply say that if you have need for greater speed at roughly the same contract price then SIRO offers a huge improvement regardless of WiFi restrictions.
The deal breaker is more likely to come down to the add on services such as TV Channels and telephone calls.
The deal breaker is more likely to come down to the add on services such as TV Channels and telephone calls.
Contacts
Contacts
Cost
Cost
This is purely for information and details are on their respective websites.
This is purely for information and details are on their respective websites.
Vodafone
Vodafone
€25 per month for the first 6 months, then €55 per month. There are 'add on' services such as telephone and TV channels but we'll leave those for another time.
€25 per month for the first 6 months, then €55 per month. There are 'add on' services such as telephone and TV channels but we'll leave those for another time.
12mth online contract / 18mth 'Door to Door' for 1Gb/s internet connection.
12mth online contract / 18mth 'Door to Door' for 1Gb/s internet connection.
DiGiWeb
DiGiWeb
1Gb/s: €10 per month for the first 2 months, then €55 per month and
1Gb/s: €10 per month for the first 2 months, then €55 per month and
150Mb/s : €29.95 (new customers) per month for the first 3 months, then €45 per month
150Mb/s : €29.95 (new customers) per month for the first 3 months, then €45 per month
A once-off activation fee of €49 applies subject to additional 'add on' services.
A once-off activation fee of €49 applies subject to additional 'add on' services.
Useful Tools
Useful Tools
Speed Test : Google Search
Speed Test : Google Search
Signal Strength: Android Google Play
Signal Strength: Android Google Play
Related Reading
Related Reading
We have a hands on review to help you decide if it's right for your home.
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November 2018 Articles
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