VDSL - Self-install option?

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falcrum

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I just ordered a VDSL line at Telkom via their call centre (upgrade from existing ADSL line).

I was told that a technician has to come out to my house to perform the installation, and unlike with ADSL there is no self-install option. This installation will cost R700-R800 (can't remember the exact amount).

Is this correct that there is no self-install option?
 
I found the Telkom technicians to be really bad with VDSL, so good luck.

Last time that they were here they just had a little USB ADSL modem with which to test the line, and they did not have the ability to check VDSL at all. Now this may have changed, but I wouldn't put money on it (only a few months ago).

I had to sort it myself, with some phone assistance from Charl (TelkomZA).

That said, the Pace modem is easy to get working. The Zyxel is more of a problem, but is ok once you get it working.

Both should be easy to get going if you use them in bridge mode, with a decent router (I use an Asus RT-N66U).
 
So you're telling me I'm forced to pay for a technician to do the installation, even though he may not know what to do?
 
if going 20mbps route might consider ADSL2+ profile instead of VDSL. router is muuuch cheaper. only sacrifice upload speeds. And as well stated above, Telkom techs arent that well trained with VDSL yet so might be beneficial to go this route if go 20mbps. 40mbps has to be VDSl profile.
 
HApyM3al said:
if going 20mbps route might consider ADSL2+ profile instead of VDSL. router is muuuch cheaper. only sacrifice upload speeds. And as well stated above, Telkom techs arent that well trained with VDSL yet so might be beneficial to go this route if go 20mbps. 40mbps has to be VDSl profile.
Click to expand...

I compared 20mbps ADSL and 20mbps VDSL - got techie to switch ADSL up to 20mbps.

VDSL is much faster. And they don't want to leave it on 20mbps ADSL, and they will charge you the same as for VDSL.

10mbps is the fastest official ADSL.
 
I didn't even know you could get 20mbps ADSL at Telkom.

That said, the 2 or 3 mbps upload speed is a strong selling point for me.
 
I upgraded from 4mb ADSL to 20mb VDSL and paid nothing

Telkom did invoice me a month later for R595 but I queried this with them and my ISP Afrihost and Telkom reversed the amount. You pay nothing for the move to VDSL. Well at least I didn't.
 
falcrum said:
I just ordered a VDSL line at Telkom via their call centre (upgrade from existing ADSL line).

I was told that a technician has to come out to my house to perform the installation, and unlike with ADSL there is no self-install option. This installation will cost R700-R800 (can't remember the exact amount).

Is this correct that there is no self-install option?
Click to expand...

I did it myself. I had a 10mb line and upgraded to 40mb. Bought the VDSL router from Telkom Direct, installed it and after a few port issues/phone calls it worked like a dream :)

Telkom did invoice me a month later for R595 but I queried this with them and my ISP Afrihost and Telkom reversed the amount. You pay nothing for the move to VDSL. Well at least I didn't.
Click to expand...

Same here, got it back after I queried.
 
Telkom did invoice me a month later for R595 but I queried this with them and my ISP Afrihost and Telkom reversed the amount. You pay nothing for the move to VDSL. Well at least I didn't.
Click to expand...

Same here, got it back after I queried.
Click to expand...

In your cases, did a technician come out to do the installation? Did you tell Telkom at some point you'll do it yourself?

The sales person told me that the process is roughly as follows:
1. A technician does some tests at the exchange/MSAN to confirm whether or not I will be able to get VDSL (within 2 business days).
2. I get an SMS to make an appointment with the technician, which can be in up to 14 business days.
3. I buy a VDSL router.
4. The technician comes to do the installation.

By the way my ADSL line stopped synchronizing about 10 minutes after I placed the order... not sure if it's related or not.
 
I didnt even see the tech. Just logged the upgrade with my ISP or if your line is with telkom then via them. They send a tech around to the exchange and after a while you are on VDSL and your ADSL router stops syncing. This is the same as going from 2-4 and from 4-10 etc. just a line speed increase and not a new installation.

No appointments nothing.

Im also using the pace from Telkom and its not bad. Basic features but not bad
 
If you line stopped syncing then maybe someone was on the ball at Telkom and moved you across already. only way to tell would be if you had a VDSL router
 
Thanks, that helps.

The problem is that I don't want to buy a VDSL router until they confirm that I can actually get VDSL (I know I'm on an MSAN, but my attenuation isn't great).

I'll call Telkom again this afternoon to try and figure out if they've done anything with my line.
 
falcrum said:
Thanks, that helps.

The problem is that I don't want to buy a VDSL router until they confirm that I can actually get VDSL (I know I'm on an MSAN, but my attenuation isn't great).

I'll call Telkom again this afternoon to try and figure out if they've done anything with my line.
Click to expand...

You can see it on the sync on your line. Although I bought the Pace before they upgraded the line as it does ADSL as well. When I saw the sync go up to 40mb I switched to from ADLS+ to VDSL and viola.
 
Jola said:
I compared 20mbps ADSL and 20mbps VDSL - got techie to switch ADSL up to 20mbps.

VDSL is much faster. And they don't want to leave it on 20mbps ADSL, and they will charge you the same as for VDSL.

10mbps is the fastest official ADSL.
Click to expand...

the upload puts more strain on your line with VDSL. we have 20adsl and tested the 20vdsl and line just isnt stable on 20vdsl. and we are 900m from exchange itself. Upload wasnt our issue though. and 20adsl is fast and stable. and no need to fork our 2k for a VDSL router. little dumb tenda and mikrotik = great.

2mbps upload vs 1mbps isnt going to us. i know latency will be better but avg ping to 8.8.8.8 is round 180ms mark. I know my adsl at home runs at 230ms avg. fibre from vox at a client is round 170ms. so not huge difference. just pure bandwidth, and if you want uploads i would suggest fibre over vdsl anyday even though price difference is huge.

but I am glad you are happy with the 20vdsl.
 
I bought a Pace router from Telkom yesterday, specifically confirming that I can return it within 7 days if VDSL doesn't work at my house. Unfortunately it still doesn't synchronize at all (tried ADSL and VDSL), so the technician is probably still working on the line. Telkom's order systems are offline today, so they can't give me any progress update. They say it shouldn't take longer than 72 hours... hope they're right.
 
StoneCold said:
Is that a given ? :wtf:

How much more would 20Mbps ADSL cost vs 10Mbps ?
Click to expand...

Yes.
No idea.

I see this as a very bad move... the number of sites that can offer 20Mbps ADSL is very limited and this is going to create an expectation that cannot be fulfilled.
 
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