10Mbps DSL versus 10Mbps fibre - Prices compared

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

Journalist
Staff member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Messages
6,543
Reaction score
4,845
10Mbps DSL versus 10Mbps fibre - Prices compared

Many prominent ISPs in South Africa are offering DSL packages at cheaper prices than entry-level fibre packages with similar download speeds.

The popularity of copper connectivity has waned in recent years after peaking at around a million connections in South Africa.

This was driven largely by increased fibre broadband in South Africa's cities and larger towns.
 
I was thinking what should happen if I move and the new area does not have Fibre.... Eish
 
A warning to those thinking that saving R200pm to go from 10/10 Fibre to 10/2 DSL is a good idea.
  1. The majority of DSL lines can't reach advertised speeds
  2. expect 10-20ms of latency to be added
  3. expect 0.5-1% packet loss in many areas with older lines
  4. many DSL lines go off-line during load shedding, since Openserve is not maintaining the equipment to the same level as fibre.
 
Sapphiron said:
A warning to those thinking that saving R200pm to go from 10/10 Fibre to 10/2 DSL is a good idea.
  1. The majority of DSL lines can't reach advertised speeds
  2. expect 10-20ms of latency to be added
  3. expect 0.5-1% packet loss in many areas with older lines
  4. many DSL lines go off-line during load shedding, since Openserve is not maintaining the equipment to the same level as fibre.
Click to expand...

1. I don't think that is entirely true. It obviously depend if you go for the 40 and 20Mbps then I can say yes because the radius is reduced a lot due to distance. For 10 and 5Mbps well 3.5km is doable and still be stable. After 3.5km it's basically 5Mbps.

2. The latency comes with interleaving which can be switched off by Openserve. @Soul Assassin Would confirm that once interleaving is switched off ADSL/VDSL performs just as well in terms of latency compared to fibre. Slightly higher but a couple of ms only.

3. Again the losses will depend on line quality and the capability of the dslam.

4. Yes this is a problem. Some don't have backup at all especially small towns and old infrastructure. Some don't last the full loadshedding slots and then there is newer ISAM's that stay online during loadshedding.
 
I was under the impression if ADSL copper breaks in an area with fibre then you get to keep both pieces? So is it a case of you can use copper but only till it dies or are Telkom fixing copper in fibre covered areas?
 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
10Mbps DSL versus 10Mbps fibre - Prices compared

Many prominent ISPs in South Africa are offering DSL packages at cheaper prices than entry-level fibre packages with similar download speeds.

The popularity of copper connectivity has waned in recent years after peaking at around a million connections in South Africa.

This was driven largely by increased fibre broadband in South Africa's cities and larger towns.
Click to expand...
Fiber providers do NOT want to sell 10Mbps packages...they don't make money off of those.

These continuous silly comparisons are moot anyway...so many variables.
 
cavedog said:
4. Yes this is a problem. Some don't have backup at all especially small towns and old infrastructure. Some don't last the full loadshedding slots and then there is newer ISAM's that stay online during loadshedding.
Click to expand...
Only if the batteries in the ISAM box didn't get stolen 3 years ago, never to be replaced...
 
I am very happy with my Just DSL 20 mbps service from Axxess @ R595 per month. Enjoying a true uncapped unshaped unthrottled service for a far better price than fiber operator Vuma can give me...
 
Even though the comparison is for 10mbps, I think it would have been worth it to mention that for those with Openserve it is actually cheaper to get fibre. Openserve is now offering 25mbps for just under R600 and Webafrica even has a promo till the end of the year for R399.
 
What's the catch with Axxess? Why so much cheaper 10mb DSL compared to Afrihost for example?
 
The biggest problem I recall with dsl was waiting 30+ days for residential line faults to be repaired. Has that changed?
 
I cancelled my dad's ADSL bundle (R649 for 4Mb line and data/voice)

I ordered the 5Mb Unlimited Home Lite (R199 for months 6 months, thereafter R329 per month for the remainder of the 24 month contract).

Telkom called me and told me that "There is no copper in my area so I will have to use their LTE".... What a load of bull.
 
Milano said:
The biggest problem I recall with dsl was waiting 30+ days for residential line faults to be repaired. Has that changed?
Click to expand...
I had a fault on my line 2 weeks ago. Logged a fault at about 10am. Technician pitched up at 3pm that day. Said he was going to escalate it as the fault is at the exchange. Next day a group of 3 people came and fixed it.
I think it also depends on the area you're in
 
Soul Assassin said:
My VDSL line synced at 45/10 and my latency was 8ms, for comparison my Vumatel fibre now is 3ms.
Click to expand...
Only became cheaper because Telkom removed the forced POTS rentals - changed to "naked" DSL.

With Fibre, the link speed is the same as the marketing speed.
With ADSL, the link speed is a "best effort, up to, pay for marking rate" speed.

Unless you close to the DSLAM or Exchange your ADSL rate is lower than the marking rate.

Pay for an 8Mbps ADSL that never exceeds 5Mbps link speed due SNR to attenuation because of distance - this makes the R/Mbps higher than Fibre.
 
Dead cat bounce. You can only get if you already have a connection into your house. It will only live as long as your neighbourhood copper infrastructure survives RET.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X