What can I do?

[saburation]

Hi all.

I've been having issues with my ADSL for 7 months. When the problem started I had a 2mb line and had to drop the line speed down to 1mb again as I was paying for a 2mb line and was getting less than 1mb speeds.

I logged a fault and was told by the Telkom technician the fault was with my exchange and I just had to wait until they upgraded the exchange. The line was stable on 1mb and I was getting about 70KB/s which is acceptable.

After a few months my speeds and latency has been getting worse and worse. Today it took over 2 hours to download a 2mb file. I'm getting 625b/s. Constant time outs high latency etc etc.

I have contacted Telkom ZA on the forum spoken to a supervisor, phoned Telkoms call centre so many times I've lost count, complained on Hello Peter etc etc. All to no avail. All I get told is there are TWO logged faults on my exchange AND a problem on my DSLAM.

Nobody can or will tell me when this will get fixed. I did once get another call from a technician I explained what has been happening and he told me they don't fix problems on the exchange. So more calls to Telkom and still the same thing can't tell me when this will be fixed.

My problem is I have no alternatives to ADSL. I don't get any other form of internet in my area, no WIFI, the 3G coverage doesn't work, no Iburst etc etc etc.


I just want to know a few things:

What else can I do or who can I contact to find out as to WHEN this will be fixed?

I also am receiving way below promised speeds, should I not receive some sort of discount or is that wishful thinking?

I will probably have to move next year unless this gets sorted as I use my ADSL for work and I need it.

So what costs are involved in moving my ADSL to another address?

How long does it take to transfer over?

Is there any "downtime" involved with the line being moved to another address?

Any help would be appreciated. I am sorry if this has been asked before but I battled for an hour to post this and if I try to search the forum the pages just "time out."


Thanks.

 

[waterprism]

I feel you. I've got the same kind of issues. Today, I'm going at 6kb/s on a 1meg line. No one seems to know what's wrong. I also do some work from home and it takes me hairpulling forever to download the ~20mb-100mb files I need. The last little while, I've been plugging my smartphone into my computer and using crazy expensive data bundles to finish off downloads whilst I try and sort this out. You don't seem to even have that option, though, as far as I can tell. Can't offer much, except commiseration as I'm in the same situation.

 

[saburation]

Thanks Waterprism. Unfortunately any wireless internet isn't an option for me. Looks like my only option is to move house then. Sounds like you have a congested exchange though. Contacting Telkom ZA on this site would probably be your best bet. They seem more clued up than the call centre. I'd suggest going for the Afrihost deal in your case, probably save yourself quite a few rands.

 

[waterprism]

Wow, that would be to have to move over something like this.

Whilst looking at other connectivity options, in case my problem also turns unsolvable, I noticed this company -- http://www.yahclick.co.za/homepage. Have you heard of them? I don't know anything about them and I don't think they would suit my use-case, but they might be helpful for you. They seem to have coverage everywhere, according to the coverage map linked on the homepage. Might be something to look at.

No, according to Telkom, there's no congestion at my exchange. They don't know what the problem is. I have contacted Charl here though and will just wait to see what happens.

Edit: Oh, and I think I see what you mean about Afrihost's mobile data. Definitely something to think about to tide me over. Thanks.

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Hi There,
Keep the pressure on Telkom is the first thing to do.
Look at options like Afrihost as an alternative/backup.
Have you checked everything on your side, pots, router, cables running near power lines etc?

Regards

Tim