Some users have even been forced to downgrade their uncapped ADSL bundle speed to compensate for their poor ADSL connectivity.<\/p>\n
The issue of congestion on Telkom\u2019s ADSL network is nothing new. As far back as 2010 the growth in subscriber numbers, higher ADSL speeds and increased bandwidth usage were blamed for putting pressure on Telkom\u2019s backhaul capacity.<\/p>\n
In January 2012 former MWEB<\/a> CEO Rudi Jansen<\/a> said that ISPs do not get the throughput on the network that they pay Telkom for.<\/p>\n Jansen said at the time that the congestion was seen on Telkom\u2019s backhaul network and between the DSLAM and the exchange.<\/p>\n Derek Hershaw<\/p><\/div>\n MWEB ISP CEO Derek Hershaw<\/a><\/strong> said that there are periods when their network is busier than normal – typically from 4pm to 6pm on weekdays \u2013 where they have to manage capacity.<\/p>\n However, exchange congestion on Telkom\u2019s network is the major contributor to deteriorating speeds Hershaw said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that about 25% of their DSLAMs are congested, which Telkom is trying to address,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Vox Telecom<\/a>\u2019s Douglas Reed<\/a><\/strong> said that some of the ADSL problems are caused by exchange congestion, but not all.<\/p>\n \u201cThe poor quality of the copper and the distance from exchange are the prime cause for the erratic service,\u201d said Reed.<\/p>\n Laurie Fialkov<\/p><\/div>\n Cybersmart<\/a> CEO Laurie Fialkov<\/a><\/strong> said that they do not have any congestion on their network for their interactive services, such as web surfing, streaming, gaming and the like.<\/p>\n Fialkov said that while exchange congestion exists, it may also be an easy way for ISPs to blame Telkom rather than troubleshoot the problem.<\/p>\n Hershaw said that users who experience deteriorating service levels should phone their ISP to investigate.<\/p>\n He explained that Telkom will not disclose that their DSLAMs are congested, which means that ISPs are often falsely accused for poor speeds.<\/p>\n Fialkov joked that other than consumers \u201cpicking their religion of choice and praying\u201d, the only thing an ISP can do is to log a fault with Telkom.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce Telkom accepts that there is an exchange problem, we have to wait for them to fix it, which usually takes 60 to 90 days,\u201d said Fialkov.<\/p>\n Fialkov added that they find it very frustrating that Telkom\u2019s helpdesk can actually see the bandwidth usage at the exchange, but ISPs cannot.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have asked for this visibility previously and it has been denied, so we have to go through the very tedious testing process instead of just looking at the exchange usage graphs,\u201d said Fialkov.<\/p>\n Douglas Reed<\/p><\/div>\n Reed advised users who experience erratic speeds to reset their router and contact their ISP to assist with resetting the ports and fault finding.<\/p>\n \u201cIn some cases alternative solutions or changing exchanges (if feasible) is the only way forward,\u201d said Reed.<\/p>\n Telkom was asked for feedback regarding congestion on its ADSL network and at exchanges (DSLAMs), but the company did not respond by the time of publication.<\/p>\n Telkom also did not say what ADSL subscribers can do if they are suffering from poor service levels.<\/p>\n ADSL network congestion a problem: MWEB CEO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n ADSL network congestion concerns<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nADSL ISPs give feedback<\/h3>\n
![\"Derek](\"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Derek-Hershaw-Mweb.png\")
<\/a>![\"Laurie](\"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Lauri-Fialkov-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Poor ADSL speeds: What you should do<\/h3>\n
![\"Douglas](\"http:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Douglas-Reed.jpg\")
<\/a>Telkom mum on ADSL network congestion<\/h3>\n
More about ADSL exchange congestion<\/h3>\n