iBurst vs ADSL

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MrH

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I have been running iburst and ADSL(since the 7th July) and my findings are the following.

Tests done on the same URLs, downloading and online game:

---------------
iburst downloads (most of the time) at between +_900kbps to 1mbps multithreading using one PC.

While downloading as above browsing speeds are not good at all.

Browsing speeds in general even with only one PC is pretty slow (not much faster than dialup)

Online gaming while downloading is impossible.

iburst has that 64kbps after cap (which I thought I'd miss but do not)

The iburst modem is tied to iburst therefore useless with any other ISP
-----------
ADSL (4mbps) Most the time downloading peaks at just over 4mbps and very stable.

While busy downloading on one PC (throttled at 2mbps) I can still play my online game without lag on a second PC while a third PC is busy browsing the net with instant connections to any URL.

The 3GB ADSL goes at full speed to 6GB before getting capped after which you can only get to your email and bank sites.

R70 for an extra 1GB voucher from Axxess with a carry over of 3 years for emergencies it is far better than the 64kbps.
The ADSL modem is not tied to any ISP.
----------

iburst cost me R699 per month (even after the contract was finished)
It should have dropped to R599 for month 2 month.
Forced to use useless debit order system

ADSL cost me R675 (and probably is dropping to R554 this month)
month 2 month
Billed along with the normal phone bill.
----------
From my point of view it is dumb to use iburst when I can still download at plus twice the iburst speed as well as browse and game at the same time with no restrictions(lag) and all 4 PCs can download at the same time at the iburst max speed.

All that been said the only reason I can see anyone getting iburst is if they needed mobility or their line does not support ADSL, except these days there are other options which are provided by more reputable companies.
 
MrH said:
I have been running iburst and ADSL(since the 7th July) and my findings are the following.

Tests done on the same URLs, downloading and online game:

---------------
iburst downloads (most of the time) at between +_900kbps to 1mbps multithreading using one PC.

While downloading as above browsing speeds are not good at all.

Browsing speeds in general even with only one PC is pretty slow (not much faster than dialup)

Online gaming while downloading is impossible.

iburst has that 64kbps after cap (which I thought I'd miss but do not)

The iburst modem is tied to iburst therefore useless with any other ISP
-----------
ADSL (4mbps) Most the time downloading peaks at just over 4mbps and very stable.

While busy downloading on one PC (throttled at 2mbps) I can still play my online game without lag on a second PC while a third PC is busy browsing the net with instant connections to any URL.

The 3GB ADSL goes at full speed to 6GB before getting capped after which you can only get to your email and bank sites.

R70 for an extra 1GB voucher from Axxess with a carry over of 3 years for emergencies it is far better than the 64kbps.
The ADSL modem is not tied to any ISP.
----------

iburst cost me R699 per month (even after the contract was finished)
It should have dropped to R599 for month 2 month.
Forced to use useless debit order system

ADSL cost me R675 (and probably is dropping to R554 this month)
month 2 month
Billed along with the normal phone bill.
----------
From my point of view it is dumb to use iburst when I can still download at plus twice the iburst speed as well as browse and game at the same time with no restrictions(lag) and all 4 PCs can download at the same time at the iburst max speed.

All that been said the only reason I can see anyone getting iburst is if they needed mobility or their line does not support ADSL, except these days there are other options which are provided by more reputable companies.
Click to expand...

Are you on the do broadband 3 package?
Does that include the line rental or is that still separate?
 
WebhostingTalk said:
Are you on the do broadband 3 package?
Does that include the line rental or is that still separate?
Click to expand...

It is the do package level 3 yes, and no it does not include the line rental but since I have to pay that anyway for my phone it is not an extra cost to me.

Both ADSL and phone are on the same line and can both be used at the same time.
 
Well thanks to your post I will be moving to Telkom.
Isn’t there a do package that has the 512 line in it? The 4mb is just over kill for a small cap
 
stoke said:
What game MrH? Please.
Click to expand...

http://www.terracorps.com/

This game server was in the US but now is in Canada and works quite well with iburst UNTIL you get involved in a battle and then the lag sets in.

It's a war game involving tanks, choppers and other vehicles, I've been playing it since 1997 and believe it or not it is still in free beta.

Quite a learning curve but once you master that it's an interesting game with free movement etc.

Not going to say anymore since this is NOT the correct forum for games.:eek:
 
WebhostingTalk said:
Well thanks to your post I will be moving to Telkom.
Isn’t there a do package that has the 512 line in it? The 4mb is just over kill for a small cap
Click to expand...

As far as I know there is only the 384 @ 1GB and 2GB and then the 4mbps @ 3GB.

As far as I know only the 3GB package goes at full speed to 6GB before cap.

The other 2 packages are hard capped at 1GB and 2GB, but you can still use the connection if you purchase the voucher from Axxess at R70 per GB and it can be used for 3 years.
This voucher you can purchase from an Engen service station, check the Axxess site for more info.

I also thought the 4mbps would be too fast for 3GB but since I get 6GB and extra bw is fairly cheap I changed my mind.:D
 
stoke said:
Thank you, berry interesting that you don't get lag playing that while others are browsing.
Click to expand...

Try that with iburst while others are browsing and you'll lag your butt off.

The game does have lag even with ADSL at times but when that happens the server in Canada is also lagging as it affects all players even in the US.
 
MrH said:
As far as I know there is only the 384 @ 1GB and 2GB and then the 4mbps @ 3GB.

As far as I know only the 3GB package goes at full speed to 6GB before cap.

The other 2 packages are hard capped at 1GB and 2GB, but you can still use the connection if you purchase the voucher from Axxess at R70 per GB and it can be used for 3 years.
This voucher you can purchase from an Engen service station, check the Axxess site for more info.

I also thought the 4mbps would be too fast for 3GB but since I get 6GB and extra bw is fairly cheap I changed my mind.:D
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply.
Well I’m of o the Telkom office to see what is what. Just hope my exchange support dsl.
With my luck it won’t :(
 
who.is.michael said:
Well it seems there is very little reason for using iBurst besides the mobility factor, but at what cost....
Click to expand...

iburst can't come near to ADSL and as you know I had a very good iburst connection.

I have packed my iburst modem in it's original packaging and the only way you can tell it is not new is because it is the old model.:)

It served active duty at max speed for 26 months and now will spend the rest of it's days in my outside room with all the other obsolete PC equipment.:D
 
WebhostingTalk said:
Thanks for the reply.
Well I’m of o the Telkom office to see what is what. Just hope my exchange support dsl.
With my luck it won’t :(
Click to expand...

Most the ISP sites have a test link where it will test if your line supports ADSL, have a look and do the test then you will know for sure.

EDIT: If you do get ADSL and it's the "do package" make sure you do the self install as then you get a free modem/router and NO installation costs.
 
Last edited:
MrH said:
Most the ISP sites have a test link where it will test if your line supports ADSL, have a look and do the test then you will know for sure.

EDIT: If you do get ADSL and it's the "do package" make sure you do the self install as then you get a free modem/router and NO installation costs.
Click to expand...

Well I don’t have a phone line here just my cell so its a bit difficult to check it. :)
 
At this point I don't want to pay more than R500, the speed I get is perfect and I download quite a bit in the soft cap stages so the 1.5gb is more than enough. Truth be told though, if Telkom came with a better 512kpbs offer I'd gladly swap over. I enjoy the good ping I get in WoW but I'd like to be able to play FPSs with decent latency.
 
WebhostingTalk said:
Well I don’t have a phone line here just my cell so its a bit difficult to check it. :)
Click to expand...

Hmmm, if you don't have a phone line then I guess you will have to pay line rental which on my previous account was just over R100 per month.

For the line installation costs you will need to ask telkom, but before you get the line first make sure that your area supports ADSL.
 
Fudzy said:
At this point I don't want to pay more than R500, the speed I get is perfect and I download quite a bit in the soft cap stages so the 1.5gb is more than enough. Truth be told though, if Telkom came with a better 512kpbs offer I'd gladly swap over. I enjoy the good ping I get in WoW but I'd like to be able to play FPSs with decent latency.
Click to expand...

In general I was quite happy with my iburst speed etc., what I found nerve racking was having to deal with that company, and then reading post after post of what customers went through when they tried to leave iburst, extra payments suddenly popped up and getting billed months after leaving iburst.

That bothered me a lot and as soon as I tried to leave the same problems cropped up, extra payments etc., anyway hopefully that has all behind me now and if I get debited again I will reverse the debit order, iburst is not getting one more cent out of me.
 
I've done a good rave on the axxess prepaid voucher here.

Last month I bought the 1Gb voucher, and used it all up.

This month I'm on a 2Gb voucher. 1Gb is too restrictive.

It is so convenient as you can go to any PnP or Engen and buy it there.

A word of warning - just be prepared to explain what exactly an Axxess prepaid voucher is... :D

No hassles with unwanted debit orders, no hassles in finding an Engen or PnP close to you... it is the way things should have been...
 
The_Librarian said:
I've done a good rave on the axxess prepaid voucher

A word of warning - just be prepared to explain what exactly an Axxess prepaid voucher is... :D

No hassles with unwanted debit orders, no hassles in finding an Engen or PnP close to you... it is the way things should have been...
Click to expand...

Yeah it was your post that informed me about the vouchers.;)

When I went to purchase a voucher I got a dumb look back from the guy behind the counter so I told him to go to "Options" for prepaid cell airtime and then enter the following code:

87000070 <---- this is for 1GB @ R70

After that it went smoothly and now next time there won't be a problem.:D

And for the 2GB just change the "70" in the code to "140" and so on for the other vouchers.
 
People should know that the 3GB giving 6GB is only applicable to TelkomISP. On others you will only get your 3GB, a bit too little for me.

I would sign up for Do3 if it was certain that it will always be 6GB, but that doesn't even work for everyone and they could change it back to 3GB or the old random number every month...

512kb with a 4GB sainet account + some local is what I'm looking at. :D All for about R530.
 
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