Transferring an ADSL line between two non-Telkom ISPs

[JohnsonCT]

I signed up a year ago with NashuaMobile for their R139 internetlessness deal and now that my contract is finished, I want to upgrade to 4Mbps, but I don't want to stay with NashuaMobile any more - I want to go with Axxess.

I emailed Axxess and they said it isn't possible to transfer the line from another reseller to them. I first have to transfer it to Telkom, then once that is done, transfer it to Axxess. This sounds like a LOT of admin and frankly, I don't even know how to go about the first step.

I phoned Telkom and was told I just had to fax something through to their wholesale division and they would take care of it. I faxed them yesterday, but I'm not holding my breath.

Does any one have any experience with this? Are there any costs involved? Is there an easier way? I'm not sure I can listen to Telkom music for much longer.

 

[Mier]

Is the Nashua router/modem not network locked ?

 

[JohnsonCT]

Is the Nashua router/modem not network locked ?

No. I got lucky somehow and they forgot to flash mine with their custom firmware so I've been able to use other ISPs and PPPoE.

 

[Mier]

Sweet

 

[Mier]

This thread has me thinking.

Can you use the Nashua deal with a different router ?

Nashua costs R139 including 384 line AND 1 GB bandwidth (unshaped nonetheless).
Most ISP, incl Telkom, sell the 384 line only for R152.

So, does it not make sense to get the Nashua package instead of renting a line elsewhere and then still buy BW from another ISP.

Can you sign up month-to-month if you have your own router ?

 

[DapperDanMan]

Are there any costs involved?

The costs involved are not financial, but something worse: A complex mass of headache material!
Apart from the time it's going to cost you having to wait until the notice period passes, as well as for the handover process from Telkom Wholesale to Telkom Retail, which is usually a couple of weeks, you may (or rather will) also experience a service interruption period where no ADSL is available for days on end. And Axxess only does ADSL line conversions and transfers but not line applications, so you'll be messed around aplenty like I was, because once Telkom Wholesale hands over to Telkom Retail there will be no ADSL on the line anymore and any transfer attempt will then be seen and treated as a new ADSL line application instead, so Axxess will not be able (or willing) to assist you further at that stage.

On http://www.axxess.co.za/lines.php it states the following (seen on the self-install / transfer tab):

"Please Note:
We are currently forced to stop new line applications as Telkom has a backlog on ADSL line applications and cannot provide us with agreeable service levels. Line transfers are still available."

You should either

a) Stay with Nashua and pay R549 for a 4Mbps line with 3GB-per-month unshaped user account, because you will be on a month-to-month subscription (your 12-month contract has run its course already) and you can use just about any Axxess user account in addition to it. By the way, Nashua uses Verizon backbone; Axxess uses backbones of SAIX as well as IS; so you'll have the best of three worlds.

b) Cancel with Nashua and have WebAfrica submit your new line application - they handle transfers and new line applications, so it doesn't matter which it is, and they give you a once-off 1GB free bandwidth for choosing them. Besides, they charge the same price as Axxess for 4Mbps lines.

c) Cancel with Nashua and have a Telkom Do subscription at R579 for 4.5GB-per-month on a 4Mbps line, because you can use just about any Axxess user account in addition to it and by going from Nashua to Telkom you shouldn't have as many hassles - or downtime.

Is there an easier way?

You can send your request(s) to: [email protected]

This thread has me thinking.

Can you use the Nashua deal with a different router ?

Nashua costs R139 including 384 line AND 1 GB bandwidth (unshaped nonetheless).
Most ISP, incl Telkom, sell the 384 line only for R152.

So, does it not make sense to get the Nashua package instead of renting a line elsewhere and then still buy BW from another ISP.

Can you sign up month-to-month if you have your own router ?

Yes you can, and yes, it most definitely makes sense - especially if you have your own router. The only snag: Your initial contract period with Nashua is 12 months. The month-to-month subscription is only available afterward...

 

[JohnsonCT]

The costs involved are not financial, but something worse: A complex mass of headache material!

I was expecting as much

a) Stay with Nashua and pay R549 for a 4Mbps line with 3GB-per-month unshaped user account, because you will be on a month-to-month subscription (your 12-month contract has run its course already) and you can use just about any Axxess user account in addition to it. By the way, Nashua uses Verizon backbone; Axxess uses backbones of SAIX as well as IS; so you'll have the best of three worlds.

I was considering this, but, even though it's unshaped, with no local bandwidth, I felt like this was a bit of a rip off.

b) Cancel with Nashua and have WebAfrica submit your new line application - they handle transfers and new line applications, so it doesn't matter which it is, and they give you a once-off 1GB free bandwidth for choosing them. Besides, they charge the same price as Axxess for 4Mbps lines.

Didn't really consider that. Thanks for alerting me.

c) Cancel with Nashua and have a Telkom Do subscription at R579 for 4.5GB-per-month on a 4Mbps line, because you can use just about any Axxess user account in addition to it and by going from Nashua to Telkom you shouldn't have as many hassles - or downtime.

This is probably what I'll end up doing. It seems like less admin in the end, plus Telkom does have a pretty good offering.

You can send your request(s) to: [email protected]

I phoned Nashua Mobile and have emailed through my cancellation, but they said it will only go through at the end of June! What is the [email protected] address for? Based on Nashua Mobile and Telkom's advice I'm cancelling and then reapplying. Seems like a stupid way to do things, but it looks like that's the way things are done.

 

[ubik]

Think I might have found a way to beat Telkoms best efforts to drag us down.

After loads of calls, and you can imagine how much frustration, I managed to find someone who was actually helpful.

This is what happened:
I phone 10219 and explained what I needed done (Transfer my ADSL line between 2 of Telkom's wholesole adsl customers). The lady actually offered (!!!) to phone someone from their wholesale adsl department to find out what might be done. (I think the frustration in my voice might have helped). She got back to me with a phone number and a name from someone I can call (Not a call centre number either, but a direct line)

The procedure to follow, as confirmed by the person to speak to:
1. Cancel your adsl line with your existing ISP.
2. Apply with your new ISP to have your adsl line transferred to them
3. Make sure that both of these requests get submitted, so they are in the system.
4. Give the guy on the number she gave me a call, and he will transfer it on their system, so that I am not without ADSL for a week/month/however telkom feels like taking.

I have actually spoken to the guy, and he told me that we are not circumventing the rules (as I expected), but that it can be done.

This might save lots of frustration for lots of us - I will update once I know if this actually works, so that you may shower me with appreciation

 

[DapperDanMan]

This might save lots of frustration for lots of us - I will update once I know if this actually works, so that you may shower me with appreciation

So it's 3 days to go before your last post in the thread becomes 3 months old. Any news?