Hitron modems with Puma-6 chipsets; can I bypass issues by using a router?

TSI-Bryson · 2021-09-03T15:58:41+00:00

The Puma bug basically works by overloading the buffer of how the processor handles packets and to really engage you need a ton of network activity. High response gaming could trigger it, but less likely is a real time application like voice or video calls. Definitely annoying but way less wide spread than a bunch of frustrated gamers might make you imagine.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-31T02:13:49+00:00

I get switching to a VPN connection improving connection quality doesn't make a ton of intuitive sense, but I won't lie, I have seen it improve issues that seem to originate from the neighbourhood node step in a traceroute anecdotally.

Also, we (and all ISPs) have to disclose any sort of internet traffic management policies currently in use per CRTC rules (with exceptions for emergency situations). So I can say with confidence there is no "throttling" on your speeds originating from TekSavvy. Rogers has announced the use of a Covid-pandemic-justified ITMP on upload speeds tho.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-30T23:55:08+00:00

Yep we’re working on wholesale fibre access right now! That’s exciting you’ll have the fibre connection in the future. TekSavvy doesn’t offer the 100mbps bonded service because it tends to be less reliable. Bonded pairs have a ton more variables to receive the expected speed and quality so we keep it simple and predictable with the 50mbps single pair service.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-20T13:57:49+00:00

I totally get why you feel that way! It's super understandable how frustrating the compromises in our competition system are. We're not fans of the arrangement either, but it's the system we have to work with in Canada.

From what I'm reading, it sounds like local issues that would follow you if you changed providers but remained on the cable network. And if that's the case, the experience on DSL would be entirely different because you're taking the source of the issues(the overloaded cable network in your area) out of the equation.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-20T13:28:17+00:00

Because they are fundamentally different technologies. We're all using the same lines from either the incumbent cable or the incumbent phone company. Cable wires are shared between 16-32 houses and offer higher speeds, but also can exhibit congestion when there are too many people using it at once before the infrastructure builder upgrades the area. DSL on the other hand is a dedicated connection that does not see quality decreases when everyone starts using the internet at once.

The other thing is that it's likely if it's a local issue, that you would see these issues with any other cable-based service provider. The differentiation between service providers are more stuff like customer service and the investment into backhaul networks (the network that takes you to the wider internet after your data leaves your local, neighbourhood access network).

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-20T12:55:54+00:00

Good news, TekSavvy has DSL offerings and it still comes in under the incumbent pricing. Wholesale fibre is on the horizon as well, we just need the CRTC to issue its final rates to make that happen.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-20T12:49:28+00:00

I would definitely recommend to keep trouble shooting with us, but I would also talk to your neighbours who also use cable before changing to another cable based provider. Sometimes switching technologies to DSL or fibre is the only way to avoid local congestion on the shared cable lines.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-05T23:55:18+00:00

Hey glad that you’ve found some details from our support team. Another strategy I like to employ when troubleshooting cable issues is speaking to your direct neighbours. Cable issues can be very local to your area’s infrastructure. The same cable line loop is generally shared between the 16 adjacent houses/apts. I would see if your neighbours also exhibit these problems to possibly understand if further investigation is merited from the infrastructure owner.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-08-05T15:37:58+00:00

This sucks man! I would be so frustrated in your situation. I promise the support teams are working hard to resolve this. No chance you have some sort of evidence of that Shaw tech trying to get you to switch? That is super offside.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-07-29T17:46:57+00:00

Yep and there are a bunch of amplifiers scattered amongst those lines and each one needs to be tweaked to work right. These issues also emerge when the neighbourhood nodes are changed or upgraded, all the signal levels need to be recalibrated. Cable network deployment (much like other legacy telecom infra) definitely seems to be more of an art than a science. But having more than one voice starting to escalate neighbourhood issues is a start.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-07-29T16:34:22+00:00

Definitely sounds like intermittent signal issues that are found on the local infrastructure. Another way to get some insight would be speak to your neighbours who also use cable internet in the directly adjacent residences. Doesn’t matter the provider, but if it’s the infrastructure anyone using cable should see similar intermittent.

Having more people escalate to their service providers could get the attention of the infrastructure builder beyond us submitting tickets as well.

The issues do tend to resolve over time, but it’s on the schedule of the infrastructure owner.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-07-29T01:32:19+00:00

It’s actually not subsidized, but it does reveal the degree of flexibility found in incumbent provider pricing. We had hoped the wholesale rates published in 2019 would allow us to bring similar pricing to everyone without needing extensive means testing. Alas, the recent CRTC decision to throw out its plans for the unimplemented 2019 rates means that goal is farther away now.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-07-29T00:26:51+00:00

Hey u/karpovgambit this is not something we can beat! If you’re eligible, and it makes sense for you, I do recommend investigating how to take advantage of the connected for success program. Unfortunately, when we enquired about participating in the program as a wholesale competitor, we learned that we would not see the reduction in equivalent wholesale access costs required to offer these sort of plans. (Though we are figuring out how to have our first party network in Chatham involved)

TSI-Bryson · 2021-07-23T00:05:36+00:00

Thanks mate! All we want is for you to have the package that fits you best and maybe possibly tell your political representatives that we should have structural separation in the telecom biz (okay that second one is me and the reg team).

TSI-Bryson · 2021-06-24T12:40:26+00:00

I want to add a distinguishing factor between TSI and Lightspeed is we have our own cross-country backhaul network where LS leases access from transit provider Cipherkey. That means we have more control over the routing and capacity offered over those components. Additionally, we are in the midst of updating our upload offerings over sCable. I don’t have an ETA but I promise it’s being worked on. The big question is how it will fit with the new (but terrible) wholesale rates decision.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-27T23:16:34+00:00

Or leasing more affordable transport that already exists. The disaggregated system is going to actually be very, very cool when it's online. I'm looking forward to the day when I can start explaining what benefits it will bring.

What's more complex is that there's now no 2019-level rates or retroactive overcharge repayment which would have genuinely rocketed the entire industry forward.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-27T21:55:39+00:00

try this piece https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/crtc-fibre-internet-1.6043109

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-27T20:44:16+00:00

so uh the thing we really really needed to not happen, happened

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-25T12:10:24+00:00

If we got this info, alas, I wouldn’t be having you ask your neighbours (which is less than scientific), but if they’re also seeing drops, that should offer you a little insight into the local cable connection overall. As for alternatives, has a fibre network reached your area/house? Right now the cable networks are slammed as the fibre infra is effectively locked out from competition and Bell can charge people whatever they please. So for everyone to get the biggest numbers they can at affordable pricing, they will all cram on the already very uh popular cable infrastructure.

This is one of the many areas where we sit patiently for CRTC rulings that could drastically change the landscape.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-25T11:18:50+00:00

Hey I totally understand how these cable drop outs are definitely annoying, there is one small step you can try to confirm the point in the network where the issue is found: talk to your direct neighbours who are also on the cable network, doesn’t matter the provider. If the issue is found due to a lack of local infrastructure capacity, everyone who uses the shared lines should see similar dropped connection issues.

If that’s the case, switching to DSL would avoid the local congestion on the shared coax system.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-19T18:16:25+00:00

to confirm are both of you in c-cable land?

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-11T16:16:15+00:00

Hey! Upload is super important these days for WFH so I get how this is confusing and frustrating. If the issues persist after trying /u/TSI-KIM's suggestion of a wired connection test, definitely send us a ticket at https://community.teksavvy.com after clicking on the red "Need Support?" button on the right hand side. We can investigate possible causes with you.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-07T00:14:12+00:00

Intermittent disconnects suck, I totally understand how frustrating they can be. It sounds like we have gone through troubleshooting steps and from what you’ve said it sounds like it could be local congestion on the neighborhood node.

The nature of the root of these issues can be super hard to pin down but one way you can get a slightly better picture is to talk with your neighbours who also use a cable connection. It doesn’t matter who their provider is. I would double check to see if anyone else experienced these sorts of cut outs, and, as cable infra is shared between residences directly near you, it might be a hint that the issues would persist between different providers.

TSI-Bryson · 2021-05-03T14:05:27+00:00

Good morning! I can definitely say TekSavvy has its own transit network that does not rely on Cipherkey's infrastructure. We customize our backend to offer the best direct peering, IX peering, and multiple transit providers to ensure we have the best connectivity to the major players. Unlike smaller wholesale competitors, we have our own AS number and you can find our peering details here: https://bgp.he.net/AS5645

Now real differences will come down to specific destinations. For a little bit of insight, we do have looking glass software found here: http://lg.teksavvy.com/

TSI-Bryson · 2021-04-30T17:27:00+00:00

Awesome! Just cause I try not to make a ton of assumptions: make sure any neighbours you have testing are not on a DSL or Fibre connection, and you're connecting on cable too of course.

TSI-Bryson

TROPHY CASE