ADSL v VDSL - a question for the Telkom Fundis

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MickZA

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I've bounced the following question off TelkomZA with no response so I'm hoping ranger or one of the other guys in the know can assist.

Until recently the Telkom coverage map listed my address as good for up to 10Mbps ADSL (my current setup), since around August it now claims I can get 10Mbps VDSL.

From coverage map notes:
What speeds can I get on VDSL?
You can expect to see speeds up to 10Mbps, Up to 20Mbps to Up to 40Mbps.

How is VDSL different to ADSL?
VDSL uses copper phone line more efficiently so you get a faster connection than ADSL broadband and VDSL supports incredible data rates sufficient even for High-Definition TV.
Click to expand...

ADSL Line stats:
Code: 
			Down	Up	 
		
SNR Margin:		7.8 	14.5	db
Line Attenuation:	36.7 	20.6 	db
Data Rate:		10239 	945 	kbps
Max Rate:		14836 	945 	kbps
POWER:			19.5 	12.0 	dbm
CRC:			0	0

Questions:
1) Is VDSL even viable given my downstream attenuation?

2) Assuming VDSL is viable who do I contact to activate the profile - I have a Pace 921VNX router available for testing.

3) What would be the benefits, I currently get around 8.7Mbps down & 0.9Mbps up?
 
MickZA said:
Until recently the Telkom coverage map listed my address as good for up to 10Mbps ADSL (my current setup), since around August it now claims I can get 10Mbps VDSL.


Questions:
1) Is VDSL even viable given my downstream attenuation?

2) Assuming VDSL is viable who do I contact to activate the profile - I have a Pace 921VNX router available for testing.

3) What would be the benefits, I currently get around 8.7Mbps down & 0.9Mbps up?
Click to expand...

WOW i came here for the exact same question
 
My area is listed as 2mbps VDSL....
Moral of the story, dont trust te Telkom site
 
Vrugtebome said:
My area is listed as 2mbps VDSL....
Moral of the story, dont trust te Telkom site
Click to expand...

ScottulusMaximus said:
No
Click to expand...
Exactly what I thought.

What's strange is I have clients that are still listed as "up to 10Mbps ADSL". Where Telkom/Openserve got the idea that my location had moved 2kms closer to the Linton Grange exchange is beyond me.
 
Jip never trust the site and telkom :p

States i can get 20mbps adsl

call center claims i can only get 4mbps(i have a 10mbps :/ )

Go into the Telkom shop and they say 40mbps??

Logging into my router,router says i can attain 19560kbps (so sure that falls under 20 mbps) .....So i'm confused!cause my router stats show i'm 2.1km away from my exchange so i can't se how a 20mbps over that distance is possible.Or if i ask to upgrade do they move my port/line to another exchange ??

Sorry OP for bombing in here :x
 
djbrendan said:
Jip never trust the site and telkom :p

States i can get 20mbps adsl

call center claims i can only get 4mbps(i have a 10mbps :/ )

Go into the Telkom shop and they say 40mbps??

Logging into my router,router says i can attain 19560kbps (so sure that falls under 20 mbps) .....So i'm confused!cause my router stats show i'm 2.1km away from my exchange so i can't se how a 20mbps over that distance is possible.Or if i ask to upgrade do they move my port/line to another exchange ??

Sorry OP for bombing in here :x
Click to expand...

If your router says 19Mbps ADSL2+, you can probably get 20Mbps on VDSL.
@OP, I was also wondering as I have the same marker on the map. I don't think it means anything.
 
Johnatan56 said:
If your router says 19Mbps ADSL2+, you can probably get 20Mbps on VDSL.
@OP, I was also wondering as I have the same marker on the map. I don't think it means anything.
Click to expand...
Will ask for an upgrade and see then

wasn't sure cause of the distance from exchange :/
 
Unfortunately, there are many variables that one has to take into account with trying to decide whether it is worth an upgrade or not.

1. The Call centre: Well most of the persons who man these contact points (the phone-in or the online chat) have no clue and are relying almost totally on what the system says on the screen in front of them. For example, in my area, if I phone in they will tell me I can upgrade to VDSL and get 40 Mbps, BUT I know that while this is true for the exchange area in general, I cannot get anything better than ADSL2+ because all I have available is DSLAM access, and not the MSANs and ISAMs available in the exchange area.
2. Then just looking at your existing line stats does NOT always provide a good indicator of what you could possibly expect out of an upgrade, assuming that your particular area has access to a xSAM/N that is not just ADSL2+ capable. Very few call centre personnel seem to know the difference between ADSL2+ (20Mbps) and VDSL (20 Mbps) and will offer you VDSL 20 Mbps and then you end up with ADSL2+ (20 Mbps).
3. The line attenuation is NOT measured in the same way for VDSL as for ADSL and ADSL2+. The bandwidth available for these three services is such that you might well get an improved connection even if the existing stats do not show it possible.
4. The only sure fire way is to be able to get a technical person on the other side of your enquiry, who knows how to "test" your line (Assuming you have a VDSL capable modem available), and then give you an evaluation of what will really be possible.
 
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djbrendan said:
Jip never trust the site and telkom :p

States i can get 20mbps adsl

call center claims i can only get 4mbps(i have a 10mbps :/ )

Go into the Telkom shop and they say 40mbps??

Logging into my router,router says i can attain 19560kbps (so sure that falls under 20 mbps) .....So i'm confused!cause my router stats show i'm 2.1km away from my exchange so i can't se how a 20mbps over that distance is possible.Or if i ask to upgrade do they move my port/line to another exchange ??

Sorry OP for bombing in here :x
Click to expand...

Agree, 20 Mbps VDSL should be possible. It also depends on whether the node is VDSL or VDSL2, something the call centre personnel just do not seem to know how to check (or can't, because they do not have access to the correct systems to be able to check)

VDSL was designed to increase the range over which ADSL could be offered beyond the ADSL ADSL2 and ADSL2+ range limits. VDSL2 takes it further. So based on the "head room" on your existing stats, you should be able to get the same as you have now or maybe even better.
 
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daniellgr said:
Unfortunately, there are many variables that one has to take into account with trying to decide whether it is worth an upgrade or not.

1. The Call centre: Well most of the persons who man these contact points (the phone in or the online chat) have no clue and are relying almost totally what the system says on the screen in front of them. For example, in my area, if I phone in they will tell my I can upgrade to VDSL and get 40 Mbps, BUT I know that while this is true for the exchange area in general, I cannot get anything better than ADSL2+ because all I have available is DSLAM access, and not the MSANs and ISAMs available in the exchange area.
2. Then just looking at your existing line stats does NOT always provide a good indicator of what you could possibly expect out of an upgrade, assuming that your particular area has access to a xSAM/N that is not just ADSL2+ capable. Very few call centre personnel seem to know the difference between ADSL2+ (20Mbps) and VDSL (20 Mbps) and will offer you VDSL 20 Mbps and then you end up with ADSL2+ (20 Mbps).
3. The line attenuation is NOT measured in the same way for VDSL as for ADSL and ADSL2+. The bandwidth available for these three services is such that you might well get an improved connection even if the existing stats do not show it possible.
4. The only sure fire way is to be able to get a technical person on the other side of your enquiry, who knows how to "test" your line (Assuming you have a VDSL capable modem available), and then give you an evaluation of what will really be possible.
Click to expand...
+1

this is a good answer :)
 
daniellgr said:
Agree, 20 Mbps VDSL should be possible. It also depends on whether the node is VDSL or VDSL2, something the call centre personnel just do not seem to know how to check (or can't, because they do not have access to the correct systems to be able to check)
Click to expand...
So which department to i check with ?technical i assume
 
djbrendan said:
So which department to i check with ?technical i assume
Click to expand...

Now that is tricky! I know the technician who supports my exchange area personally, and have other contacts in my area which helps. Trying to get past the call centre lot even to a supervisor is a mission. Maybe MickeyD can help with some suggestions?
 
Should I contact telkom and ask why we on 14.383 Mbps?

ADSL Training Status: Showtime
Mode: ADSL2+ Annex A
Traffic Type: ATM Mode
Link Uptime: 0 day: 4 hours: 31 minutes
============================================================================
ADSL Port Details Upstream Downstream
Line Rate: 1.027 Mbps 14.383 Mbps
Actual Net Data Rate: 1.020 Mbps 14.328 Mbps
Trellis Coding: ON ON
SNR Margin: 13.7 dB 10.5 dB
Actual Delay: 1 ms 7 ms
Transmit Power: 12.1 dBm 0.0 dBm
Receive Power: 4.7 dBm 4.7 dBm
Actual INP: 0.0 symbols 2.0 symbols
Total Attenuation: 7.0 dB 17.5 dB
Attainable Net Data Rate: 1.228 Mbps 21.108 Mbps
Click to expand...

edit: Paying for 20mb line.
 
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To conclude my story; MickeyD (thanks Mickey) used his contacts to check what was actually available at my location and VDSL is not an option.

It seems the coverage map is a pure thumbsuck but you'd think they'd at least get it right for existing clients!
 
Sometime last year, Telkom wanted to sell me a 10Mb package for around 1.3K pm. Salesperson came to my house. I was not prepared to pay that and it was capped at 50/50GB so i declined.
Now they have uncapped 10Mb package for R799pm month to month if you do not take modem. So I thought I pay almost that for 4Mb so upgrading is a no-brainer.
Went to Telkom shop and after a lengthy wait in the queue, the lady at the counter says, No way I cannot get 10Mb only 4Mb.
How the f#@k does this work?
I need to have the line checked, but have no idea where to go.
 
MickZA said:
To conclude my story; MickeyD (thanks Mickey) used his contacts to check what was actually available at my location and VDSL is not an option.

It seems the coverage map is a pure thumbsuck but you'd think they'd at least get it right for existing clients!
Click to expand...
To clarify... Mick can get VDSL but.... there will be zero improvement and it could be unstable as well. The ISAM that Mick is connected to, is 3km away and in the exchange building itself.
 
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