On Mon, 21 Aug 2000, Dave Fitch wrote:
> > As for ISDN being easier - the investment in TE is probably equal to
> > dialups,
>
> I think it's cheaper, but of more benefit to the ISP is no modem
> incompatibility problems etc, it cuts out the A-D conversions,
> a straight digital pipe you run PPP over.
I doubt it'd be cheaper - as Umar pointed out, similar equiptment is used
- and I'd actually think it would be more expensive, given what I've seen
of Cisco's products {for example, a 3640 with a PRI and 30 modems for
accepting "dial up" connections as opposed to a 2620 with a PRI for just
accepting "data" calls. The distinction being that to accept calls from
POTS services using 65/33k6 modems, there must still be a modem involved,
whereas to accept a straight ISDN data call there doesn't have to be.
> > byt tyhe provision for abuse in downloading is _much_ higher,
> > given that ISDN connections are usually permanent, and dialups can be
> > dropped off if they're abusing.
>
> well I've heard that argument before too but never really agreed
> with it. If the ISP's pricing model is done properly there's no
> problem. Eg. charge by the Mb, or impose a monthly download limit
> etc. I agree that given the speed (or lack thereof) of modem
> connections it seems "safer" but (a) 64k ISDN not that much faster
> and (b) with the growth of cable and xDSL and others, ISPs will have
> to get used to it sooner or later.
How many ISP's do it properly, though? :-) "Flat rate" access is the
commonest claim - and only because they know how much can be sucked down a
56k modem in a month, and gamble on not everyone actually doing it.
As for 64k not being much faster - well, 64k full duplex would be about
20k faster downstream, and at least 30k faster upstream, for me. My best
modem connections are 46k/31k6 - 64k full duplex would be a blessing.
> At one stage I considered "casual" dialup ISDN rather than modem
> (probably 128K) but it's really telstra's pricing that puts the
> kybosh on that, not the ISP. The only vaguely cost effective
> ISDN (IMO) is the "onramp home highway" service then run "data
> over voice" to get the 22/25c untimed connections whilst still
> getting more or less ISDN speeds but that requires a cooperative
> ISP willing to do some "special" configuration at their end.
No argument on that one - Telstra has priced ISDN out of the market for
most people. When you compare the prices in the USA to what we pay.
{sigh}.
DaZZa
--
SLUG - Sydney Linux User Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/
More Info: http://slug.org.au/lists/listinfo/slug
