Questions, questions, questions.

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ocean-addict

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I need some unbiased answers from isp and south african telecommunications gurus(if thats possible). Im a student in my final year, and am looking to start a vISP. Im not here to discuss why i should or shouldnt start an isp, im here to find out about the in and outs of the industry.. I think it would be better if i coud start a private conversation with someone, otherwise this might just turn into a 'build your own isp' thread..
So let me just kick off with a question> Is SAIX-based the best way?
 
Depending on which services you want to offer. For good old ADSL and dialup, SAIX would be best. If you want to sell local only ADSL IS will be great. Uncapped also comes from IS.
 
ocean-addict, there are a few isp's that sell both SAIX and IS packages. I think it would all depend on your target market and what the best solution would be for that market.
 
so with saix, do i get a leased line, and everything is routed through me to saix, or does everything get routed straight from clients to saix, and they do the authentication and billing and everything?
 
ocean-addict, with the authentication, everything would have get routed through you. Remember, you'd also have to host e-mail servers as well.
 
I'm not a complete expert on the subject, but I'd imagine you'd have to have dns servers as well, as most adsl connections require a dns address in the setup. You'd also need an e-mail server/s if you want to supply your clients with e-mail address as well.
 
You will need to have your own servers...DNS, mail, radius, web etc etc. Not something any person can setup. Most smaller ISPs don't get off the ground and gets sold to a larger ISP.

There are some really hungry large ISPs out there :D lol
 
Lets say i want to start really basic, having only 10-15 customers for the first year, first two years even, no mail or web hosting.. Please tell me if there is sumthing besides the following that i need to get started: a registered cc (obviously), a vans licence, an office space, a 128k diginet line, a wholesale bandwidth package from IS or SAIX, an authentication server, a dns server, and lotsa guts and patience..
 
I would imagine that you would also need to ensure that your "server room" is fairly secure and is air-conditioned. You'd definitely need a security system/armed response as well. I know this isn't what you meant, but it's things that you'd have to factor in as well
 
If i want to offer 1024k connections to customers, do i hav to hav a 1024k leased line?
 
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The best way to get started would be to become a reseller of one of the established ISP's. Many ISP's have reseller programs. You do not need any servers, equipment, etc. Make sure you have a CC or Ltd setup. All you have to do is bill your customers. The ISP will bill you. Once you have enough subscribers going good recurring income you can investigate seting up your own infrastructure. It is much more simple than descibed here.
 
xdsluser said:
The best way to get started would be to become a reseller of one of the established ISP's. Many ISP's have reseller programs. You do not need any servers, equipment, etc. Make sure you have a CC or Ltd setup. All you have to do is bill your customers. The ISP will bill you. Once you have enough subscribers going good recurring income you can investigate seting up your own infrastructure. It is much more simple than descibed here.
Click to expand...

This is exactly wat id like to do, but i still need to get the diginet line, and i would hav to hav servers to handle authentication and billing..
 
No you only need the diginet line if you start with your own infrastructure. a ISP that offers reseller programs handles all of it for you. Once you have enough users, you can get the Diginet line and then start building your own mail/dns/radius/web servers. You only need to handle the billing.
 
ocean-addict said:
So let me just kick off with a question> Is SAIX-based the best way?
Click to expand...
Nope, my advice is that you shouldn't put all your eggs in the same basket - as has already been mentioned, there are several ADSL-ISPs that resell SAIX as well as IS as well as Verizon Business. If you only resell X you will be turning away many customers that might want to buy Y &| Z.
 
xdsluser said:
No you only need the diginet line if you start with your own infrastructure. a ISP that offers reseller programs handles all of it for you. Once you have enough users, you can get the Diginet line and then start building your own mail/dns/radius/web servers. You only need to handle the billing.
Click to expand...

so would i then handle billing over a webinterface?
 
ocean-addict said:
so would i then handle billing over a webinterface?
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If the reseller offers it. But I would suggest that you handle the billing yourself, start with excel if you only have a couple of customers, or get yourself a cheap billing package. You do not want the ISP to handle your billing, you want one bill from them. You want to be in control of your customers the day you move over to your own systems.
 
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