Exactly what is 'self-install'?

Freshy-ZN

Freshy-ZN

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On 30/11/2005 I ordered my ADSL service from Telscum telephonically on 10219.

I have been fighting for an install date but my problem is this: when I ordered on the phone, I asked for the self-install option and was told no problem. However during my visits to the local Telscum (spit) office they tell me that I am not getting the option as its not available in Durban.

Now, heres the real crux of the matter:
1) what exactly is self-install. What does the techie do or not do?
2) How can it be available in some areas and not in others? Either its possible to do 'it' or not.
 
Techie does f0k07 in most cases, comes in plugs in his modem to his computer tests it an says its working!

/doc
 
The techie will do this:

1. Add a splitter to the line that you are going to connect your ADSL modem to.
2. Add a microfilter after the splitter, attach some of that phone line cable after that and then plug that into your modem.
3. Add another microfilter to any other lines that are seperate (ie: If you have two phones in different places)
4. Put some settings on your modem (BTW they don't give you these settings if you do self-install because they assume you will be using of of their modems) and VOILA!! KA-CHING, techie gets R400 for less than 30 min work :p .

The settings are as follows (on my router at least):

Protocol: PPPoE (or PPPoverEthernet the option must say something like that)
VPI: 8
VCI: 35
Modulation: Auto-Sense (Is there maybe a specific setting for this, not just auto?)
Encapsulation: LLC (mine has option LLC/SNAP, but I think you only need LLC)
Authentication: CHAP

And you obviously need your username and password.

Try do it yourself if you can. It's not that they can't give it to you, it's that they won't!! They don't even install an extra line, ADSL just works on a different frequency on your existing line. Hence the need for microfilters which remove the ADSL frequency from your phone calls.

GL ;)
 
Self install is a myth .. haven't heard of anyone whom they actually allowed to do a self install....
 
telkomsuig said:
Self install is a myth .. haven't heard of anyone whom they actually allowed to do a self install....
Click to expand...


OK, thanks guys. So has ANYONE had a self-install? If so where were you located?
 
This afternoon I got an install date.....19 Jan. So thats, lets see....7 plus weeks. Ridiculous! And from the way people are moaning, the b@rstards probably wont even pitch on the given day.
 
This is for Cape Town.
I was told that only southern suburbs qualify for a self install.
I am in the thornton/goodwood area, so I cannot get it.

What is the difference???????????

(BTW, I applied on 15/12, they are coming tomorrow 4/1 to install. I already have everything setup waiting for the techie to come and do nothing.)
 
I live in Somerset West, Western Cape.

Had no problem getting self-install :) . I went to the TK direct shop and the woman I spoke to knew about it. Had surprisingly good service from them as well. Try dealing with the shops instead of going over the phone. Unless that's what you've been doing already :o
 
Ratwiz said:
2. Add a microfilter after the splitter, attach some of that phone line cable after that and then plug that into your modem.
3. Add another microfilter to any other lines that are seperate (ie: If you have two phones in different places)
Click to expand...

You got free filters?! Discrimination! :p

I had to go buy (and obviously "install") my own.
 
Freshy-ZN said:
what exactly is self-install.
Click to expand...

Normal Telkom Service but you get the chance to use KY Jelly, think of it more as Self Abuse (Plus you get billed any way then have to fight to get the money back)

1. Add a splitter to the line that you are going to connect your ADSL modem to. (Yes)
2. Add a microfilter after the splitter, attach some of that phone line cable after that and then plug that into your modem. (No way, you have to purcase at a Telkom shop for R75 each unless you have a Telkom Router)
3. Add another microfilter to any other lines that are seperate (ie: If you have two phones in different places) (No, they disconect the second phone with some lame excuse about line load)
4. Put some settings on your modem (BTW they don't give you these settings if you do self-install because they assume you will be using of of their modems) (No way, they will not touch a non Telkom Router and apart from that they say it will only work via RASPPOE anyhow).

Well thats my experiance in Cape Town.
 
The Techie arrived today to install (test my line). He did not work for Telkom. He is an independent contractor and a regular at Hellkom

I asked why I could not get a 'Self Install'. His reply was something like...

"It depends on the exchange, Telkom is currently making changes to the exchanges to allow self installs, but it has not yet been done to all."

What that meant to me was, changes are required on the exchange when you request ADSL.
If they must manually do some connection and testing, you will be charged. (he had to email his test results back to telkom before they would close the call) If they can do this testing (and/or connection) automatically, then they can offer you a self install.

Does that make sense. Made sense to me.

If anyone knows any better, please post your theory here.
 
Thanks Prinsk. That seems to make sense, in a Telkom kind of way. Still would like to know why the techie cant just give me the line and let me get on with it. I will test it and tell Telkom if its not up to spec!
 
I agree. I also discovered that although my "installation" was only today, and I only recieved my router today, my line was already active on 29/12/2005.

If only I had bought the router earlier.....
 
Great Thread!

Thanks 2 All for answering in full...
Now this is my point! I came here as a newbie about 2/3 weeks ago saying i wanted adsl. Every1 recommended self installation and now i come and read its a 'myth'.!!! You see - - - this is the clarity im talking about. Its all confusing?


Basically - its over R1000 f00king rand to get started up...... what a disgrace!
 
I stay in the southern suburbs in Cape Town and had a successful self-install! Although, this was after waiting from 28 August till 14 October with absolutely no feedback from Telkom. Took me about a half-hour approximately. Now I've just been waiting 8 weeks for a line upgrade, when once (at four weeks) I was told that the operator that had originally processed my application didn't do it and was lying to me, hectic.

Anyway, don't waste your time by letting the techie to do it, It's really easy and not nearly as intricate as many say. Just follow the steps that have so far been mentioned in the thread.
 
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