TELKOM 4/10 MBPS - SCAM?

P

pine

Active Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
I recently upgraded (or at least asked to be upgraded) from Telkom 384Kbps ADSL to their 4/10Mbps service. At first I was left without any connectivity for 2 days (and all the frustrating calls that goes with it). On day 3 I was told that my service could not sync at 4Mbps and it was (temporarily) "downgraded" to 2Mbps. On day 5 I was told that the reason for the problem is that I live 3.9 kms away from the nearest exchange and that only sites within 2.5km from the exchange can get 4/10Mbps.

Surely if the above is correct the whole thing of 4/10Mbps ADSL is a scam. How many people live within 2.5km from the exchange? Maybe 1%? How can they advertise this service without stating the real facts and whilst it is only applicable to a miniscule part of the population?

Can somebody please shed light on this?
 
Not a scam, it's "up to 4Mbs" and your distance from the exchange is a major factor in determining the maximum speed you can reliably sync at.

Maybe a "up to 1Mbs" line would be a better option for your location.
 
First of all, afaik 10meg is still a trial.

The fact that you were left without any connectivity is retarded, I had internet while they upgraded (I was upgraded after a day or two).

You can check if your exchange supports 10meg on the Telkom website, and when you upgrade they tell you (at least they told me) that they are going to check if you can be upped to at least (?) 4meg otherwise they will downgrade you again.

In my eyes, telkom did not do much wrong here apart from the fact that they cut you off for two days.

Did you do research before upgrading? Checking stuff like noise margin and attenuation?
 
You should be able to sync at at least 3mb with that distance, possibly 4mb if you make sure of the following:

1. Check your filters

Make sure your phone/adsl boxes that are connected to the phone socket are in correctly. If they are old or dusty they can impede connectivity.

2. Check your router

If you use an ancient router (i.e. mega 105wr) you could be inhibiting sync speed. Try using a friend's one or buy a good quality replacement.

3. Check your house

Is it an old house? The lines could be damaged. Get a techie to come perform a test.

4. Check your security

Do you have a lot of noise coming from your security system? Some security systems add noise to the lines, slowing sync speeds dramatically and causing problems.

You cannot get 10mb or anything close with a 4 km distance - that requires you to be < 2.5 km in most cases.
 
I think the basis of the OP's gripe, is that Telkom offered him a service, he did not ask, and then that offered service cannot be performed due to the limitations above. In other words, Telkom should have known that the OP is too far from the exchange for 10 meg. So i assume, the OP is now paying for the 4/10 meg, as offered, but receiving 2meg in exchange. Scam might not be PC, but definately not acceptable business practice.
 
He's not paying a premium for "4/10 meg", it's called DSL Fastest and supports speeds of 2meg thru 10meg - all the same price.
 
Last edited:
@MickZA - I realise that Telkom uses the term "up to". Any normal person would however expect this to mean a variance of about 5% and definately not less than half (of 4Mbps and where lies 10Mbs still?)
@Elite Override - To be honest no reasearch was done beforehand (Had I known all I know now I would have). Was it so wrong of me to accept when somebody advertises a service (without stating the limitations) that it would/should work?
@jackshiels - thank you for the really helpfull hints. Most of them (new house, wireless security system not connected to tel) do not apply. I am however using a Mega105WR. Will replace this and see what happens.
@Wasp_21 - that is a good summary of the situation and yes I have to pay for a 4/10Mbps service whilst receiving little over 1Mbps.
 
pine said:
@Elite Override - To be honest no reasearch was done beforehand (Had I known all I know now I would have). Was it so wrong of me to accept when somebody advertises a service (without stating the limitations) that it would/should work?
Click to expand...

It was not wrong to assume it should work. But taking into account the fact that this is a third world country (With a telecoms monopoly with a reputation for bad service) and you've been on these forums for two years, you should have known better imo.
 
Elite Override said:
It was not wrong to assume it should work. But taking into account the fact that this is a third world country (With a telecoms monopoly with a reputation for bad service) and you've been on these forums for two years, you should have known better imo.
Click to expand...

So what you are saying is that I should not have expected Telkom to state in there advertising that 4/10Mbps only works within 2.5km from an exchange? Furthermore I was stupid to accept that the person at the Telkom branch (where I ordered the service) would point the facts out to me? Lastly Telkom has no obligation to check whether the service will work before they commence with installation?
 
MickZA said:
As I said you might be better off with a 1Mbs line, it's pointless paying for DSL Fastest if Telkom can't provide 2Mbs on the current infrastructure.
Click to expand...

If only 1Mbps is available to me (I still maintain Telkom should have pointed it out to me) should I not look at any of the wireless options? Any suggestions?
 
pine said:
So what you are saying is that I should not have expected Telkom to state in there advertising that 4/10Mbps only works within 2.5km from an exchange? Furthermore I was stupid to accept that the person at the Telkom branch (where I ordered the service) would point the facts out to me? Lastly Telkom has no obligation to check whether the service will work before they commence with installation?
Click to expand...

Telkom should say that, but they don't, and we can't change that.

What I'm trying to say, is that you should not have made assumptions about the service. In the same way that making assumptions could cause the OOB shark to make you bankrupt.

This was not your fault, but you should have known better than to expect proper service and total honesty from telkom. Its sad, I know.

Also, what installation?
 
pine said:
If only 1Mbps is available to me (I still maintain Telkom should have pointed it out to me) should I not look at any of the wireless options? Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

That's another can of worms, check to see what's available at your location and test it before laying out any cash.
 
So what you are saying is that I should not have expected Telkom to state in there advertising that 4/10Mbps only works within 2.5km from an exchange?
Click to expand...

All their material clearly states "up to" 4 or 10 meg.

Furthermore I was stupid to accept that the person at the Telkom branch (where I ordered the service) would point the facts out to me?
Click to expand...

That's like expecting someone at Incredible Connection to understand PC specs. Actually quite reasonable, but in reality quite the opposite. It's only people who don't know anything about computers who actually think that IC staff know what they are talking about.

Lastly Telkom has no obligation to check whether the service will work before they commence with installation?
Click to expand...

The service works, "up to" 4 or 10 meg, as advertised. Heck, even my 6 meg line speed varies depending on the time of day. Last time I checked Telkom was actually very good with pro-rata billing, so if you want to downgrade your package, now is the time.
 
Wasp_21 said:
I think the basis of the OP's gripe, is that Telkom offered him a service, he did not ask, and then that offered service cannot be performed due to the limitations above. In other words, Telkom should have known that the OP is too far from the exchange for 10 meg. So i assume, the OP is now paying for the 4/10 meg, as offered, but receiving 2meg in exchange. Scam might not be PC, but definately not acceptable business practice.
Click to expand...
Re-read the OP...

I recently upgraded (or at least asked to be upgraded) from Telkom 384Kbps ADSL to their 4/10Mbps service.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X