Web Africa ADSL general feedback

The "Tier 1 ISP" story seems to be creeping up again from what I can tell :/ It's been covered a lot in the past - mostly around our IPC launch, and explanations followed - give the forums a search.

ISP's in SA consider themselves a Tier 1 ISP should they run their own network - which we do via IPC. So do Mweb.
http://blog.webafrica.co.za/2009/08/web-africa-testing-its-own-network-10-gig-free-adsl-trial-offer/
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/adsl/9412-free-10-gb-adsl-trial-from-web-africa.html
http://www.mweb.co.za/aboutus/PressOffice/2010/SouthAfricansSettoUsetheInternetliketheRe.aspx

Using Mweb as a comparison and competitor - we both have our own IPC networks however are both restricted to a point by Telkom. This won't change in SA unless Telkom decides to make the change.

Looking at the Wiki article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tier_1_network

Although there is no authority that defines tiers of networks participating in the Internet, the most common definition of a tier 1 network is one that can reach every other network on the Internet without purchasing IP transit or paying settlements.
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Strictly observing this definition of "tier 1" would exclude every network. For instance, many large telephone companies are tier 1 networks, but they buy, sell, or swap fiber amongst themselves. Payments between companies are not all known, nor whether they cover peering connections.
Click to expand...

Yes, we have upstream providers who provide us with International access and yes, our network still does need to run through Telkom - however instead of going via Telkom's routing - we do our own. I agree though, the definition does seem to be a bit misty but I can safely say, in context (being in SA), any ISP who runs and operates their own full IPC network can be considered a Tier 1 ISP.
 
WAJeff said:
The "Tier 1 ISP" story seems to be creeping up again from what I can tell :/ It's been covered a lot in the past - mostly around our IPC launch, and explanations followed - give the forums a search.

ISP's in SA consider themselves a Tier 1 ISP should they run their own network - which we do via IPC. So do Mweb.
http://blog.webafrica.co.za/2009/08/web-africa-testing-its-own-network-10-gig-free-adsl-trial-offer/
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/adsl/9412-free-10-gb-adsl-trial-from-web-africa.html
http://www.mweb.co.za/aboutus/PressOffice/2010/SouthAfricansSettoUsetheInternetliketheRe.aspx

Using Mweb as a comparison and competitor - we both have our own IPC networks however are both restricted to a point by Telkom. This won't change in SA unless Telkom decides to make the change.

Looking at the Wiki article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tier_1_network





Yes, we have upstream providers who provide us with International access and yes, our network still does need to run through Telkom - however instead of going via Telkom's routing - we do our own. I agree though, the definition does seem to be a bit misty but I can safely say, in context (being in SA), any ISP who runs and operates their own full IPC network can be considered a Tier 1 ISP.
Click to expand...


Thanks Jeff. Wasn't questioning you - was questioning the guys questioning the tier-1-ness of WA.
 
LOL @ SA ISPs who decide to redefine what "Tier-1" means.
 
WAJeff said:
ISP's in SA consider themselves a Tier 1 ISP should they run their own network - which we do via IPC. So do Mweb.
Click to expand...

Wow - so every 2nd WISP with a couple of access points polluting the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency range, is a tier 1 provider in your eyes?

This one makes allot more sense to me:
Tier 1 ISPs do not need to buy transit since by definition they can reach all the networks in the Internet Peering Ecosystem solely through free peering relationships.
Click to expand...

Now whether that is true or not in WA's case, I cannot tell. I'm pretty sure that transit is being purchased from other operators such as SAIX and AfricaINX instead of peering however. Which, by my definition, does not make WA tier 1.

The fact that you have IPC from SAIX, has absolutely no bearing on whether you are an Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 10 network provider however... Your IPC access is simply a means for WA to connect via IPConnect to your customer's ADSL CPE....
 
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"The server at dsl.webafrica.co.za is taking too long to respond." :(

Pages loading slowly and can not check my usage......
 
biometrics said:
Have had several disconnects tonight.
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The same here. Webafrica is deliberately interrupting our downloads, but I know I cannot prove it. This way I am actually throwing money into the water 'cause I restart downloads 4 - 5 times without success. Connect to another ISP and do the same download and it runs like a dream without interruptions.

It is time to move on...
 
jellievis said:
The same here. Webafrica is deliberately interrupting our downloads, but I know I cannot prove it. This way I am actually throwing money into the water 'cause I restart downloads 4 - 5 times without success. Connect to another ISP and do the same download and it runs like a dream without interruptions.

It is time to move on...
Click to expand...

Fact is, for R199 I'll take their crap. I get 30 GB any time + 100 GB during 0:00-6:00, 4 concurrent connections.
 
biometrics said:
Fact is, for R199 I'll take their crap. I get 30 GB any time + 100 GB during 0:00-6:00, 4 concurrent connections.
Click to expand...

You have a point there, but I am trying to sleep as well. I cannot stay up all night and restart downloads......
 
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