ADSL 2 plus

[samaya]

I have heard a rumour that Telkom is busy testing ADSL 2 plus. Apparently it has longer range, 6km - 7km, where the current lines are only about 5km. The other benefit is that it will have a 12Mb download speed. As mentioned it is a rumour and I don't have real proof. I heard this from a friend who works with Telkom on Telkom projects...

Just imagine how fast we are going to hit our CAP now...

 

[sybawoods]

Interesting. The technology certainly is available, and nothing is stopping SAIX from at least increasing the 512/256 limit for starters...

 

[DFantom]

current ADSL from Telkom has a max speed of 8Mb/s, the only reason you don't get 8 is because Telkom limits you. I wouldn't expect much different if there was a newer/better/faster version of ADSL rolled out except a price increase.

 

[onionpeel]

Interesting. The technology certainly is available, and nothing is stopping SAIX from at least increasing the 512/256 limit for starters...

I disagree with you. Telkom is preventing Telkom from increasing the limit.
DFantom is spot on though... in the absence of any meaningful competition.

 

[CreepyCrawley]

I don't really care about the speed that much. 384 is fast enough for me... it's that fcuking cap that stops me from getting adsl atm.

 

[Strobemeister]

Ditto.
The only real reason to get a pipe fatter than 512k is broadband television, video on demand, etc.
512 satisfies most demands. Our reality, unfortunately, is why the hell do we want to reach our cap in an hour?
Makes u wanna pull your hair out.

 

[Darth Garth]

current ADSL from Telkom has a max speed of 8Mb/s

Notice that we plug our modems directly into the phone line and don't use a splitter as Telkom uses ADSL G.lite which only has a max speed of 1.5Mb/s down and 512K up.

What is the point really of piloting ADSL 2+ if their idea of a "high" usage is 512K with a 3GB cap ???.

 

[asmith]

Most likley the higher speed equipment is newer and cheaper and can go further distances? All of which means Telkom can make more profit.

 

[freeek]

"further distances" being the key here.

can reach homees/business from the same ptst(wateva its called) would mean less upgrading etc.... save costs

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

In fact most businesses outside of SA like BT also limit speeds, they're *only* starting to test 2MBPS lines where they could get 8MBPS and also DSL companies in the US like Verizon. Qwest etc are all seemingly 'stuck' on 1.5Mbps while cable companies have 3mbps.

 

[FireFLi]

I have a mate in London (Ealing) says they are now offering 8Mbps unlimited access for a mere 29.99. Also my modem says it's connected at 2048 downstream. Now I am really confused

 

[Flippit]

I'm not totally sure, but I think that 2048 is your connection to the DSLAM. I think.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

I have a mate in London (Ealing) says they are now offering 8Mbps unlimited access for a mere 29.99. Also my modem says it's connected at 2048 downstream. Now I am really confused

Yes, I've just checked that and indeed it is correct, however only 1 company is offering it, I think it's Plus Net - they're using the law about BT opening up its network (LLU)

 

[bb_matt]

Telkom are upgrading thier network continuously, that much is fact. I just look at the amount of Telkom vans I see around and about me when I'm driving - they are like busy ants - at least, where I live.

Randburg, Craighall, Sandton - there are telkom vans every freakin' where.

When I got kicked offline for 3 days, it was because of an upgrade to a pole near me and some more fibre being installed in the ground boxes.

Telkom isn't just sitting around resting on it's laurels - they are proactively extending and improving thier network to make more bucks - simple as that.

They are the future of telecomms in africa - god help us

 

[FireFLi]

Have you noticed they are upgrading areas where competition is now immediately available. I have a mate in Kempton, where iburst nor mywireless are available, and telkom are dragging their feet about installing his adsl service, as the wires need upgrading.

I live in Sandton and telkom installed and upgraded the wires in under 6 weeks. Which leads me to the conclusion that the service levels will vary dramatically according to the area you live in

 

[Blackhand]

I for one definatly believe that service levels will vary from area to area you live in.

My firm beliefs are that Telkom will decrease its service level (which are already non-exisant) in large metropolitan areas and rural areas.

WHY? With the massive roll-out of wireless technology in metropolitan areas, and wireless not having a monopolous parasite such as Telkom, wireless providers are free to compete, which should, with crossed fingers and great hopes, decrease costs. This will help to relieve Telkom's strangehold on these areas and force them to look elsewhere to maintain their ever sky-rocketing profits.

In the case of rural areas, to roll out a broadband service to them would be far to expensive and the return not large enough to suit Telkom's pocket as there wouldn't be enough users from these areas using the service.

I believe Telkom will focus more on the areas just outlying the urban cities where it is just out of range of wireless technology and cheap enough for Telkom to do a DSL roll-out and go on unchallenged in these areas, thus, the same old story of price dictatorship and fat profits.

This is just theory and speculation, but if Telkom follows its old pattern of going for sky-rocketing profits, rock-bottom costs and an opportunity to have the upper-hand and control, the parasite will jump straight at it!

 

[mbs]

Seeing that this thread is into 'theory and speculation' mode, here's another speculative thought regarding future urban area rollouts and Telkrap's positioning:
They're busy with Wi-max trials, and will rollout this technology to urban areas in direct competition to other providers once trials are complete (mid-next year?). The success of the rollout is dependent upon a stable backbone, hence upgrading of the network. Methinx all other providers will suck the hind tit, once Telkrap get their act together. Given their massive cash reserves, it'll also be easy for them to undercut any competitor pricing, even in the face of unrestricted access of competititors to the backbone in terms of telecoms 'liberalisation'. Moral of the story: if you're cash-strapped and need to rely on a stable, properly-managed connectivity arrangement for revenue reasons, rather wait to see what Telkrap will offer. In the interim, your best bet is still their ADSL 384/512 offerings, as pathetic as they are...

 

[FireFLi]

Sad that you should say this mbs, because if we follow your logic it would ensure that the competition would go out of business and leave helkom back in the pound seat free to rape the unsuspecting public .

Wouldn't it rather make more sense to support the competition and help them drive their costs down and create a true free market .

Just wish that these wireless operators would decrease their latency so it would be possible to play online games

 

[ic]

I for one agree with mbs' reasoning here, clearly when it comes to running a business your first priority is not to solve all the country's telecommunications problems (unless that is primarily what your business aims to do), instead you are trying to break-even, and hopefully make a profit- cold hard fact!

So, if it turns out that your business needs a reliable 24*7 connection to the internet, and you can budget for the exorbitantly priced ADSL512 each month, then you will go for it, instead of other less reliable, less proven wireless offerings like MyWireless, iBurst and now 3G-1Gig.

 

[col90]

We just forget that sometimes they are not busy replacing but calling their friends everywhere in the Africa to say hello and that it is the lucky winner of the draw who pay the bill ...