Biting the ADSL bullet ..

A

atomcrusher

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After reading the just-released broadband / ISP customer satisfaction report, I have finally decided to get DSL at home. I really would appreciate advise and/or comments on the following:

1. I plan to use Axxess as both an ISP, and to organise the activation of the 384 kbps from Telkom on my behalf (I have an existing Telkom phone landline and the exchange is DSL enabled - 011 704 xxxx). I will do a self-installation.

Question: If I use Axxess to organise the Telkom DSL line, and I have technical problems with the line, do I call Axxess, or Telkom direct?

2. As I am not a heavy user (of data, that is ... ;) ) at home, I plan to use the pre-paid voucher offerings from Axxess, on which data does not expire each month, and it carries over monthly for an extended time, if I don't use all the bandwidth I have bought. I will probably only use a max of 2 GB p.m., and that will not be every month.

3. A maximum of 2 x PCs will be connected, my laptop, and wife's desktop PC .... laptop is wi-fi capable, but desktop PC is not.

Questions:

(a) Is there a wi-fi dongle that can be bought for use in the desktop USB port, and where would I buy this?
(b) what recommendations are there for a wi-fi router that will enable the two PCs to be used, as well as a Telkom phone handset?
(c) I read that a micro-filter (??) is needed on the phone line, and the Telkom bundle includes this. But as I won't be buying from Telkom, where could I get this device?

4. I know I will have to buy a wi-fi modem to connect to the Telkom DSL line ... which is the best modem to buy (reliability, compatibility, price, etc)? Which modems should I avoid??

Expert's help with the above would be much appreciated :)
 
I assume that you mean an ADSL wireless router? The router plugs into the filter, which plugs into the normal telephone connection point. Your telephone plugs into the other jack on the filter. Be careful that you don't buy a cable/WAN wireless router as this won't work with your DSL line :)

Normally the filters are provided with the router - at least they were when I bought my adsl router in the UK. I have had success with Netgear and Belkin but would also consider LinkSys. I recommend going for an N1 MIMO protocol supported wireless router as this gives you the greatest range. These are the most expensive but as I said they offer the greatest possible range (cheaper options are G, G+, G+ MIMO). However make sure that the wireless receivers in your machines support this option else consider a cheaper option, possibly with a repeater for extended range.
 
1. Phone AXXESS and ask them.
2. The prepaid non expiring vouchers are slightly more expensive but do eliminate waste and worry.
3.a. I don't recommend using USB Wi-Fi dongles to anybody. Rather use a network cable cable for the PC.
3.b. Buy the router from the telkom shop, it works fine, but no ADSL router also supports a Telkom phone headset. Your phone will stay where it is, and you will use the filter to split the telephone line to give you 2 places to plug in the phone and the adsl router.
3.c. Buy the filter from the telkom shop.
4. 3.b.

P.S. I am not an expert.
 
semaphore said:
Axxess suck use webafrica.
Click to expand...

What a stupid reply. Give more input to the question asked :eek:

Semaphore - classic method for restricting access to shared resources duh!!! :sick:

I take it that you just passed a A+ exam and now think you have a degree in IT ;)
 
@ m0zy .... thank you, yours was also my initial reaction to Semaphore's unhelpful post, but I bit my tongue! I have chosen Axxess based on the MyBroadband report on ISPs, and I respect the findings of that survey.

To all others who responded, many thanks for the useful input .... it makes my decision to bite the ADSL bullet a lot easier.
 
axxess won't be able to do the line activation, they used to do it but now they have stopped, you need to contact Telkom directly to get them to activate the ADSL portion of your line, then you can transfer it to Axxess and get one invoice for your entire adsl service from one provider.
 
@ hoegh ... thanks for the heads-up .. Axxess' website still claims they do offer that service, i.e. applying for DSL on existing phone line. I'll call them and find out
 
Can you just get your 4meg line(R359.00) from Axxess and use an other ISP for you bandwith?
 
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atomcrusher said:
@ hoegh ... thanks for the heads-up .. Axxess' website still claims they do offer that service, i.e. applying for DSL on existing phone line. I'll call them and find out
Click to expand...

ja, they had so many problems with getting telkom to activate the adsl that it was making them look bad so they stopped doing it, but you can still get them to transfer the line to axxess and you will pay a nice price (especially on the 4mb :D)
 
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m0zy said:
What a stupid reply. Give more input to the question asked :eek:

Semaphore - classic method for restricting access to shared resources duh!!! :sick:

I take it that you just passed a A+ exam and now think you have a degree in IT ;)
Click to expand...

Actually i passed my masters now think i have an IT degree :)
 
marine1 said:
I really dont agree, Axxess are awesome however I have gone back to Openweb after being shown by some people here that IS are offering really good services.
Click to expand...

I've had nothing but terrible service from axxess, the most simplest requests could not even be performed, and they take forever to activate your services. Maybe i caught them on a bad day.
 
atomcrusher said:
@ m0zy .... thank you, yours was also my initial reaction to Semaphore's unhelpful post, but I bit my tongue! I have chosen Axxess based on the MyBroadband report on ISPs, and I respect the findings of that survey.

To all others who responded, many thanks for the useful input .... it makes my decision to bite the ADSL bullet a lot easier.
Click to expand...

You might see it as unhelpful, but when you have bad service then you will see. I have had no issues what so ever with webafrica, besides the usual saix backbone issues, or peer linking issues.
 
semaphore said:
You might see it as unhelpful, but when you have bad service then you will see. I have had no issues what so ever with webafrica, besides the usual saix backbone issues, or peer linking issues.
Click to expand...

Then you should have posted your reasons for choosing WebAfrica over Axxess. Just saying the latter is cr@p is not constructive input. But I have taken your latest input in mind and will also contact Webafrica ... thanks.
 
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