The first day I selected a server node, hit connect, launched my game, and Mudfish worked perfectly. Now whether I select a specific server node or choose auto selection, my ping either stays the same or ends up way higher then what I usually play on.
I experienced the same thing, but it ended up being that my credit ran out and I guess I was connecting to an overloaded free server. After I threw $3 at it, it ended up working again.
Accessing STO from South Korea, dropped my pingtime in half 
Well I know I wasn’t using a free server node. What I mean is the first time I connected to a server, my ingame ping went from 62 to 31. Now when I connect my ping ends up at 78 or much higher than what I usually play on.