What difference would it make

So I have a question, and its probably a stupid one. But what difference would me on a 2mb line with Telkom be, and say with me on a 2mb line with another ISP.

I'm not gonna mention capped or uncapped, but just a general question when it comes to connectivity etc. Would I get better connections with another ISP who handles the line, or does it not matter, and it is what it is.

I'm a bit annoyed, that Telkoms coverage map showed me only able to get a 2mb line, but I could possibly get to 10mb. So I signed up for a 2mb line, and maybe I should have done a bit more research so I'm partially to blame. Be that as it may, I can upgrade to 4mb, or would my question above make any difference?

Thanks

On a 2mb/s line it really doesn't matter what ISP you are with, its so slow you can't really tell if you are being throttled/shaped. Only on a 4mb/s line and up will you really be able to see it.

On a 4mb/s line and up the ISP does matter, some are better then others and any capped product gives better performance then any uncapped product.

I agree with the others keep your line with Telkom, you just don't want that trouble.

If a 4/10mb/s fits into your budget I would recommend it but this depends on how much/what you use the internet for.
 
On a 2mb/s line it really doesn't matter what ISP you are with, its so slow you can't really tell if you are being throttled/shaped. Only on a 4mb/s line and up will you really be able to see it.

On a 4mb/s line and up the ISP does matter, some are better then others and any capped product gives better performance then any uncapped product.

I agree with the others keep your line with Telkom, you just don't want that trouble.

If a 4/10mb/s fits into your budget I would recommend it but this depends on how much/what you use the internet for.

i only stream, and only in SD... i dont do torrent downloads or Gaming.. bit of emails and browse, thats it.
 
But, if what you are saying above is correct(and it probably is), then how does the ISP's handle line performance, when they have in theory no control over that line?

They don't, only Telkom can do that.

Think of it this way when you initiate fault logging,,

Customer-->Telkom-->Customer (Line with Telkom)
Customer-->ISP-->Telkom-->ISP-->Customer (Line with ISP)

So in effect you are just adding a middleman to the process.

Leave your line with telkom. Telkom is often the scapegoat for isp issues, you call the isp & they blame telkom. So you get this finger pointing thing and no resolution.
If you decide to change isps and you want to transfer the line expect a load of schite & no service as the line goes into a state of limbo with no 'ownership'.
 
On a 2mb/s line it really doesn't matter what ISP you are with, its so slow you can't really tell if you are being throttled/shaped. Only on a 4mb/s line and up will you really be able to see it.

On a 4mb/s line and up the ISP does matter, some are better then others and any capped product gives better performance then any uncapped product.

His question was wrt the physical adsl line, irrespective of speed that does not change regardless of ISP.
ISP data quality does however differ & "any capped product gives better performance then any uncapped product" is a pretty bold statement.
 
I dont want to move my line, so maybe i just want to clarify that. my question just centered around performance, and why a user would want to move their line over from Telkom to another ISP. If the only thing the ISP does on the line is be in contact on your behalf, then i see no point in moving line. As said, data portion is okay, cheaper rates for more is always welcome
 
Well I would still get the 4mb/s line just so I could watch in HD and do a bit of torrenting buts that's me. If you have a capped product you can keep that and just upgrade your line.

It will come down to are you satisfied with what you have at the moment.
 
Well I would still get the 4mb/s line just so I could watch in HD and do a bit of torrenting buts that's me. If you have a capped product you can keep that and just upgrade your line.

It will come down to are you satisfied with what you have at the moment.
i would have done a 4mb line, had the Telkom coverage map shown i can get a higher line speed. and it only in indicated i could go up to 2mb. but im not going to upgrade it now, as im hoping Telkom rolls out the free line upgrade and upgrades me to a 4Mb line.
 
What hassle would it create?
I assume that an ISP's support staff has access to the same tools that the telkom support staff have.

Well for one if you want to transfer to another ISP it always has to back to Telkom first. And now with Telkom's new policies you can get up to two days down time when transferring your line.

Just not worth it.
 
But its really interesting, that there is no change in performance when moving to another isp, as the line you are on would determine things for you, irrespective if you have migrated the line away from Telkom.

But it's still the same copper. It's just a "back end" transfer, ie just a billing change. Nothing else changes. The new ISP doesn't come lay a new line to your house.
 
His question was wrt the physical adsl line, irrespective of speed that does not change regardless of ISP.
ISP data quality does however differ & "any capped product gives better performance then any uncapped product" is a pretty bold statement.

yep pretty much what i was asking, as the physical adsl line would not change in performance as it would still be maintained by Telkom. So like i said data is the only bit, where another ISP could potentially be a game changer
 
Just wondering, does Telkom ever throttle / shape your line in any way based on usage patterns even if you are with a non Telkom ISP?
 
But it's still the same copper. It's just a "back end" transfer, ie just a billing change. Nothing else changes. The new ISP doesn't come lay a new line to your house.

well yes, and thats the main part of my question answered. Which brings me to this then, that is being charged for something, where an ISP basically charges say R150 for adsl line, which in theory they charging you to be the contact person to Telkom.

that doesnt make sense at all, and in all honesty how does that benefit Telkom? Telkom does the install, user transfers the line to set ISP at a sepcific charge, but set ISP doesnt maintain the line, Telkom still does it. Could somebody please clarify that, because its very odd imo
 
well yes, and thats the main part of my question answered. Which brings me to this then, that is being charged for something, where an ISP basically charges say R150 for adsl line, which in theory they charging you to be the contact person to Telkom.

that doesnt make sense at all, and in all honesty how does that benefit Telkom? Telkom does the install, user transfers the line to set ISP at a sepcific charge, but set ISP doesnt maintain the line, Telkom still does it. Could somebody please clarify that, because its very odd imo

Well support costs money. When you call Telkom they have to pay someone in a call centre to take the call. The more people call them, the bigger call centre they need. So by calling your ISP you are saving Telkom money.
 
Well support costs money. When you call Telkom they have to pay someone in a call centre to take the call. The more people call them, the bigger call centre they need. So by calling your ISP you are saving Telkom money.

but how would Telkom save money, if the ISP calls them on your behalf? Im just being silly Chevron lol but i still find it odd :D
 
Well support costs money. When you call Telkom they have to pay someone in a call centre to take the call. The more people call them, the bigger call centre they need. So by calling your ISP you are saving Telkom money.

Correct, and the ISP takes up that call center staffing cost because people then phone the ISP instead of Telkom.

Problem comes in when ISPs tell people to call Telkom as its a Telkom problem while the ISP manages the line...
 
Correct, and the ISP takes up that call center staffing cost because people then phone the ISP instead of Telkom.

Problem comes in when ISPs tell people to call Telkom as its a Telkom problem while the ISP manages the line...

so in which way do the ISP manage the lines? from what i read, the ISP's have no control over the lines, so im curious to know this. Also, fair dos if the ISP takes your call, but if they have no control over the line, and tells you to call Telkom, then what?
 
so in which way do the ISP manage the lines? from what i read, the ISP's have no control over the lines, so im curious to know this. Also, fair dos if the ISP takes your call, but if they have no control over the line, and tells you to call Telkom, then what?

I might have been lucky so far but WA have always contacted Telkom on my behalf.
 
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