Many questions, comments from a newbie

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Fulton17

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Since Sunday I have been ADSL minded! I have a 64k ISDN line at present. As a result of our superb (sic) telephone supplies generous price reductions of ADSL rental, I want to go that route.

I have looked at many forums on the excellent site, which has been most helpful and confusing, and am now unsure where to go.

A few issues:

I think the FAQ pages would be an excellent idea as us newbie will ask the same questions week in and week out. Thank you to all your experts who are willing to take time to give guidance and advice to folk like me, even though it has been asked many times prior.

After looking at some threads and seeing talk of Helkom cahrging per gig, and maybe even up to R 60 + per gig, I wonder if it is worth changing from ISDN. All that will happen is I will get addicted to high speed, 24/7 access and then either go bankrupt "feeding" my new habit or have to go back to ISDN.

Technical issues: I generally do not have much of a clue when you talk "pings"; "torrents" etc. I like to think that I can get a 192 ADSL line, have the modem installed; get a good ISP, and away I will go. Is that wishful thinking??

Thank you for your feedback - no doubt more questions will crop up with time.
 
Fulton17 said:
After looking at some threads and seeing talk of Helkom cahrging per gig, and maybe even up to R 60 + per gig, I wonder if it is worth changing from ISDN. All that will happen is I will get addicted to high speed, 24/7 access and then either go bankrupt "feeding" my new habit or have to go back to ISDN.
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I'd say wait a few days, let's hear what telkom is planning. I'm also planning ADSL soon, and all that stands between me and biting the bullet is a few days

Fulton17 said:
Technical issues: I generally do not have much of a clue when you talk "pings"; "torrents" etc. I like to think that I can get a 192 ADSL line, have the modem installed; get a good ISP, and away I will go. Is that wishful thinking??
Click to expand...
In theory, yes, that easy... but it depends what ISP & package you choose. As you no doubt know, there are many who have received applause, so make your choice ;)
 
Changing your ISDN line back to a standard line is an almost impossible mission, so that's your first stumbling block, and it'll cost you time and money. Some people have found it cheaper to install a new telephone line, then cancel the ISDN line.

There is a lot of roumours running around, but it'll always be like that. Every month a new set of romours start, some of them do come true though.

The main question that you need to answer is - Do I want an Always on and Always available internet connection ?

Step 1 : Phone 10210 and see if they are going to install it and if they can install it and then get costing info and then start to prey.
Step 2 : Teklom phones you and says the line can doit, and they will be there on date x.
Step 3 : Now you can buy the Filter and Modem.
Step 4 : Install the Filter on the line.
Step 5 : Teklom techie arrives, charges you 404 bucks to plug in his router and to plug your line into the DSLAM. (He also normally leaves your line totally unplugged for about 30 minutes as well.) Teklom techie leaves.
Step 6 : Call an ISP and order ADSL internet.
Step 7 : Plug in your ADSL modem/router thingy, and get it working.
Step 8 : Pay your HUGE 2*charged bill to teklom.

Smile.
 
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Fulton17 - from the sound of it, you tend to use the web mostly for browsing and occasional downloading of things, and/or general communication stuff - in which case, dont even worry about the more geeky discussions of 'ping times' and 'torrents' and other things, which appear here.

It's not important, if it hasnt been important to you before, so dont worry about it. Just focus on getting the 24/7 net that you want, and go have fun :)
It may take a bit of repeated phoning to get ADSL, but once you have it, there's a reasonable choice of ISP's to go with - and all that means practically, is putting in a name and password onto your modem/router.

So dont stress or worry too much about the various layers of discussion here, if they havent been of relevance to you before :)
 
stoke said:
Changing your ISDN line back to a standard line is an almost impossible mission, so that's your first stumbling block, and it'll cost you time and money. Some people have found it cheaper to install a new telephone line, then cancel the ISDN line.
Click to expand...

Huh?

How so? I've got an ISDN line. There was no issue at all with ordering ADSL.
Granted, I've been waiting almost 5 months while they "upgrade ports" in the exchange, but now that that is complete, my installation is imminent (Validated, port assigned, just awaiting a date).

All the techie has to do is to move the local leads from an ISDN port in the exchange to a DSLAM, then come to your house and disconnect the NT.

Voila. Instant analog line.
(Alright, so it may not be as simple as that, but that's not *my* problem. :D)
 
thisgeek said:
How so? I've got an ISDN line. There was no issue at all with ordering ADSL.
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I waited 4 months for my ADSL, only to be told I'm too far from the exchange ... so I got iBurst.

The mission was to downgrade ISDN to a normal analogue line WITHOUT ADSL. Telkom dont know what DOWNGRADE is ... there no dept. that actually that deals with downgrades.

I eventually had to send a formal fax to the National Operations Manager. Got it done finally tho.
 
telkom knows very much what downgrade is: from 512kbps to 384kbps to 192kbps. the problem is they dont know when to downgrade and when to upgrade :confused:
 
Thank you to all for your input - it is a great help.

Another question, this time relating to when an ISP offers to apply on your behalf to Helkom for your ADSL line - is this a good option to take? Does it speed up the installation?

These days when something is done for nothing, it makes me think that there is a catch or is this an added value service from the ISP?

Thanks
 
stoke said:
Changing your ISDN line back to a standard line is an almost impossible mission, so that's your first stumbling block, and it'll cost you time and money. Some people have found it cheaper to install a new telephone line, then cancel the ISDN line.
Click to expand...

mine was converted from ISDN, didnt have an issue.
 
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