Considering ADSL speed upgrade - advice needed

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GregH991

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I am with Telkom, both as service provider and ISP. Currently I have an uncapped 10 Mb/s ADSL package with them. It works well and Speed Test typically gives me around 9,6 Mb/s download and 0,85 Mb/s upload speeds. I am considering asking them to increase this speed to 20 Mb/s. Mainly for the kids PS4 games that seem to be needing updates of several GB almost daily but also as I have a 4K TV - will help with watching 4K content (which for the most part is actually possible on the 10 Mb/s line right now).

Looking for a quick and easy option. Do I ask Telkom over the phone to just upgrade my ADSL or should I be asking for VDSL? My modem/router does support ADSL/VDSL and fibre. Much will depend on the additional cost this will incur. I know there is the option to go fibre in my area now but that will require more hassle I think, probably with additional costs also. I am not locked into a Telkom contract but to date I can say that I have been generally happy with their service.

Thanks in advance.
 
Your router is fine you just need to ask them to upgrade your line to 20mbps.. Don't worry about ADSL/VDSL they will know what their infrastructure is capable off in that area. Also check if you can get 40mbps cause that will give you noticeable difference. Better yet ask if they have fibre there. Price difference is normally not that bad in some instances you actually save as you can just cancel the line and save on the rental fee. I'd go fibre one time if I were you.
 
Thanks a mil. I gave Telkom a call. To double my speed from 10mbs to 20mbs will cost me R74 extra per month so seems a no brainer - I placed the order. They say it will take 3-5 days to see the new speed. Unfortunately they say 40mbs is not possible in my area, that requires a switch to fibre. I will see how I get on with this before making that call.
 
GregH991 said:
Thanks a mil. I gave Telkom a call. To double my speed from 10mbs to 20mbs will cost me R74 extra per month so seems a no brainer - I placed the order. They say it will take 3-5 days to see the new speed. Unfortunately they say 40mbs is not possible in my area, that requires a switch to fibre. I will see how I get on with this before making that call.
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How is it R74 extra per month from 10 to 20?
 
And according to Netflix you need a minimum speed of a 25Mbps for 4k..
 
Depending on who the fibre provider in your area is, it will be cheaper to have a 20mbps fibre line as you don't pay for the line rental.

This will of course mean you would need to cancel the adsl line and data then apply for fibre which will take time.

If you don't want any downtime C-fibre is currently offering 3 months free so you could apply for fibre, cancel your adsl and still save money and pay less monthly.Screenshot_20190425-151725.pngScreenshot_20190425-151637.png
 
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Soul Assassin said:
10Mbps line rental: R428.73
20Mbps line rental: R503.38

R74.64

I hope OP knows he now needs a 20Mbps data account too.

So it will actually be R807 vs R1008.
Click to expand...

Or save more by having your line with an ISP but yeah Openserve adsl not so reliable as Openserve fibre.

infogro_20_adsl.png
 
cavedog said:
Or save more by having your line with an ISP but yeah Openserve adsl not so reliable as Openserve fibre.

View attachment 650184
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If I had the option for fibre I wouldn't care how much hassle it is, if it's Openserve fibre it's going to be 20 down 10 up and lower latency.

On VDSL it's 20 down 5 up and 20Mbps ADSL it's only 1Mbps up.
 
Soul Assassin said:
If I had the option for fibre I wouldn't care how much hassle it is, if it's Openserve fibre it's going to be 20 down 10 up and lower latency.

On VDSL it's 20 down 5 up and 20Mbps ADSL it's only 1Mbps up.
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They upped vdsl uploads, should also be 20/10.
Fiber will have less overheads and no forced POTS so can usually get it cheaper.
 
I did the 10Mb to 20Mb ADSL2+ upgrade last year and changed back to 10Mb in Feb, not because of the price but because of the line noise and interrupted service I experienced which I am convinced now was purely coincidental as there was a dirty connection on some pole somewhere that has in the last 10 days been sorted as my connection is rock solid again.

The problem with plain ADSL+ is the upload speed remains the same on both 10Mb or 20Mb ADSL2+, but to allow for 20Mb ADSL2+ your SNR needs to be quite good otherwise you are going to have issues.
Unless you download a lot of files I think the 20Mb isn't worth the risk of an unstable connection, resets and disconnections.

Pity you don't have VDSL where you are as that would have been ideal for 20Mb or 40Mb, plus the upload speeds goes to 5Mb and 10Mb respectively.
Doubt we are ever going to get VDSL here, besides I see those pink guys digging up the roads in our area.
So little too late from Telkom in many instances.

That being said I doubt I will install fibre, my ADSL connection is fine and we don't download anything to warrant a big connection. Browsing and Netflix mainly and I need a land line.

As you have already upgraded I suppose my comments will make no difference.
 
OP here. Hmm, OK, I got caught out missing that I also need to pay for a 20mb data connection. So R74 was too good to be true :) Probably explains why I have yet to see an increase in my download speed. Will have to call Telkom now to check on the data upgrade. I will still go ahead with it for now but Fibre does start to make a lot more sense I agree. I hardly have use for my landline. But Telkom should have had the common sense to advise me of this, or maybe they have upped the data connection too and it just has not yet been activated. They did say 3-5 days. Today would be day 5 since placing the order for upgrade from 10 mbs to 20 mbs.

Still very confused though. If I go here on Telkom's website https://secure.telkom.co.za/today/shop/home/plan/elite-vdsl-pv/ then it shows the cost for "Elite" 20mbs to be R503,38 +R200,74 line rental. If you select the "Fastest" option (10mbs) then it shows R428,73 + R200,74 line rental. So where is this extra amount coming into play mentioned by Soul Assasin above?
 
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GregH991 said:
OP here. Hmm, OK, I got caught out missing that I also need to pay for a 20mb data connection. So R74 was too good to be true :) Probably explains why I have yet to see an increase in my download speed.
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Not if you have a Capped Account with your ISP.
With a Capped Account you may connect at any speed and dial in from another location too.

I'm on Openserve 300Gb Pro Capped through WebAfrica.
 
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