Eircon High Speed - Is it worth it?

MarkR

Has anyone actually signed up for this? 37.50 or so a month, plus your normal calls. And if you actually use the high speed (128 kb/s lmao) you get charged for two phone calls? Not exactly a great deal.

Just as a matter of curiousity, I have a integreated ethernet connectioin on my laptop, what kind of connection would be suitable for this?

rymus

Originally posted by Legbreaker
Just as a matter of curiousity, I have a integreated ethernet connectioin on my laptop, what kind of connection would be suitable for this?

Emm.. ethernet!?! If u wanted to use ISDN in your laptop you'd have to get a PCMCIA (or USB if you have USB ports) terminal adaptor. The integrated ethernet port is just that - a port for ethernet!

MarkR

Thought so. pity i dont have a nice network to connect to. Maybe the boss wont notice....

rymus

well even if u had a network card in your PC at home u could make (or buy) a crossover cable - giving the effect of a network between two pc's without the expense of a hub...

Quorthon

Originally posted by Legbreaker
Has anyone actually signed up for this? 37.50 or so a month, plus your normal calls. And if you actually use the high speed (128 kb/s lmao) you get charged for two phone calls? Not exactly a great deal.

The answer is, it depends on what you require it for. Obviously with ADSL beginning its rollout, ISDN is an outdated technology, but with the high fixed costs for ADSL at the moment, "hispeed" could be a better choice.

The cheapest installation costs for i-stream solo including usb modem are €375 inc vat. Hi speed installation costs about €175 (I have assumed around €55 for a decent ISDN terminal adapter).

Monthly costs for adsl is minimum €127 (including €20 for your regular phone line rental). Monthly rental for hispeed is €37.50 but on top of this you have call charges, and this is the crux of the matter.

The download cap for adsl is 3gb. If you were to download this much data using hispeed, the call charges would be around €80 (assuming off peak calls) bringing the total charge for hispeed to €117.50 (which is marginally cheaper than adsl). Obviously the less data you download, the cheaper hispeed becomes relative to adsl.

I find myself in exactly this position, using the internet mainly for gaming and a bit of surfing. My average phone bill with Hispeed, (including all voice calls!!) is around €80, so theres not much incentive for me to switch to adsl. Also, gaming pings with hispeed are excellent - I ping around 50-70 to UK q3 servers for example, and often find that I have a better ping than UK ADSL users!!!!

Q

Saruman

I just signed up to netsystem, use a phone line and you get your data via satellite... faster than ISDN 350kbs in my package and its fast and piss easy to use.. cost €36 a month with no cap or time limit... and it is pretty fast.. standard download is about 30 - 40 kbs and once i got 250kbs.. only used it for about 15 mins testing last night but im impressed.. even taking into account the phone bill its still cheaper than ADSL! And mot of my downloads will be done offline with EON

http://www.netsystem.com/eng/index.htm
www.europeonline.com

And for info on all of them try www.broadbandsatellite.co.uk
excellent forum & help on this technology

[SG]BGA

I've seen advertisements in the newspapers and on their website recently, saying its now 59c a day. This works out by my reckoning to around 18 euro a month. Yet the website still quotes 37.50 a month. Anyone got an explaination for this? I've knocked off 21% VAT etc but it still works out around a euro a day...
False advertising? Or haven't they bothered to update the website?
If it is 18 euro a month then I think I'll get it. Being a gamer I'm more concerned with low pings than download speeds....

MarkR

That price relates to the difference between a standard line rental and a highspeed one. The 37.00 replaces the standard line rental, and is 18.00 more than the standar, so thats where the get their calcs from. God bless small print.

ando

the only reason i got isdn was because 1) i failed the adsl test and 2) i play online games..

Isdn makes a HUGE difference with pings, where I used to get 400, i now get 37-50 sweeeet

128k is nice, but i only use it when I really need to download something fast.

infomat

Originally posted by Legbreaker
Has anyone actually signed up for this? 37.50 or so a month, plus your normal calls. And if you actually use the high speed (128 kb/s lmao) you get charged for two phone calls? Not exactly a great deal.

Just as a matter of curiousity, I have a integreated ethernet connectioin on my laptop, what kind of connection would be suitable for this?

Yes, I managed to the ISDN service about a year ago.
When I first purchased my apartment I applied for ISDN and two years I was still waiting. Last year when I re-ordered I was connected by lunch time the next day (so at least something has improved).

I like ISDN because it is very reliable but I would not describe it as high speed.

Think of ISDN (basic) as being equivalent to two telephone lines ... you are charged rental for each line and for usage of each line. If you make a call using the 128k option you are using two channels and this is twice the cost of using one channel.

BTW ISDN rental is slightly lower than renting two lines and call charges are the same.

212.2.179.66

Originally posted by ando
the only reason i got isdn was because 1) i failed the adsl test and 2) i play online games..

Isdn makes a HUGE difference with pings, where I used to get 400, i now get 37-50 sweeeet

128k is nice, but i only use it when I really need to download something fast.

May I ask what games do you play and what servers you play on?
I play mostly TFC / CS / DOD and I have an ISDN line and play mostly on Demon UK / B'sW servers but my ping is nowhere near 37-50 it's more like 100 - 120. The lowest I have got on any server was 90.

212.2.179.66

212.2.179.66

Originally posted by Legbreaker
Has anyone actually signed up for this? 37.50 or so a month, plus your normal calls. And if you actually use the high speed (128 kb/s lmao) you get charged for two phone calls? Not exactly a great deal.

Just as a matter of curiousity, I have a integreated ethernet connectioin on my laptop, what kind of connection would be suitable for this?

I have ISDN only becaouse I live about 7 miles from the nearest Exchange and found ( ok they will tell you it will not work ...but I have it ) It has made a huge difference to my internet connection. While I was on the 56k modem I cracked up waiting for URL's to load and a 1 meg file took almost 3 hours to download. BUT! my phone bill used to be €140 - €150 and now its €360 - €380. However ISDN nowdays is totally outdated and way too expensive. If I were you I would wait for ADSL / Cable / Sat at an affordable rate. Anything less is just not worth it.

212.2.179.66

Illkillya

212.2.179.66, i presume you're using an external TA that eircom gave you with hi-speed. If that is the case, then ping in games will always be very high. A good internal TA will give 32ish dos ping to Irish servers with a good Irish ISP (Eircom, oceanfree, etc.) and 35 - 45 dos ping to Barrysworld and most UK servers. Its all about the TA and the ISP.. Asuscom or Eicon Diva are good internal TAs if you want good ping in games.

Legbreaker - I have hi-speedand its very very expensive.. if I weren't so addicted to online games I would say its not worth it.

MrBlonde

http://www.cs.jolt.co.uk/index.php?page=server_list.html&map_select=2

50-60 ping. demon servers usually are 100+. cs boards have a server list.

Isdn is the only gaming connection still in ireland apart from cable which is better than adsl to the uk.

212.2.179.66

Originally posted by MrBlonde
http://www.cs.jolt.co.uk/index.php?page=server_list.html&map_select=2

50-60 ping. demon servers usually are 100+. cs boards have a server list.

Isdn is the only gaming connection still in ireland apart from cable which is better than adsl to the uk.

Thank you I will try some of them out later tonight.

212.2.179.66

212.2.179.66

Originally posted by Illkillya
212.2.179.66, i presume you're using an external TA that eircom gave you with hi-speed. If that is the case, then ping in games will always be very high. A good internal TA will give 32ish dos ping to Irish servers with a good Irish ISP (Eircom, oceanfree, etc.) and 35 - 45 dos ping to Barrysworld and most UK servers. Its all about the TA and the ISP.. Asuscom or Eicon Diva are good internal TAs if you want good ping in games.

Legbreaker - I have hi-speedand its very very expensive.. if I weren't so addicted to online games I would say its not worth it.

Thank you for your advoice Illkillya I do indeed have the external TA that Eircon sent out. The funny thing is that when I use Eircon to connect to the internet / games servers my ping is about 200 as compaired to Oceanfree / Elive / UTV @ 90 to 100 sometimes even less. I might just take your advoice and change my TA.

Thank you,

212.2.179.66

Quorthon

Originally posted by 212.2.179.66

Thank you for your advoice Illkillya I do indeed have the external TA that Eircon sent out. The funny thing is that when I use Eircon to connect to the internet / games servers my ping is about 200 as compaired to Oceanfree / Elive / UTV @ 90 to 100 sometimes even less. I might just take your advoice and change my TA.

Thank you,

212.2.179.66

The difference between Eircon.net and oceanfree is not to do with the TA, but rather the fact that Ocean supports STAC compression, which makes a difference when you are playing games. Changing your TA will not affect the difference between these ISP's. It may help to improve both connections but there will still be a relative difference. Also notice that reported pings tend to vary between games. For example, I tend to report 40-60 in Q3 on barrysworld servers but sometimes 70-120 on barrysworld CS servers. Im not sure why this is.

Q

ando

sorry for delay in replying !

I agree with what Illkillya said, get yourself an internal TA, infact, get yourself an Asus Internal TA. Their only around £30 sterling, and much better than eircons TA.


The lowest ping I've ever got was 23 to barrysworld playing 'voyager, elite force'. I've also played Jedi night, but for some weird reason, my ping is usually around 70 on that game ???

Cant give you a CS ping, as I can never get that game to work for me online

Leverz

One year on..................


http://www.boards.ie/bulletin/Forum3/HTML/002106-2.html


Prolly have a post next year something similar.

F00k Eircom and their damn mouse ;P

Xian

Originally posted by Leverz
One year on..................
http://www.boards.ie/bulletin/Forum3/HTML/002106-2.html

Those were the days...

Dustaz
Freak

Posts: 694
Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-05-2001 09:01 PM               

---

I started out this thread as a firm anti-isdn type of guy, but reading all this has kinda changed my mind.
If and when SNL finally kicks the bucket, i might just have a look at it. The only thing that still worries me is the cost of converting back to an analogue line whenever dsl comes in. That likely to cost much? or the same as the isdn install?

Dustaz

rofl pld:)

I would have done it too, but thru a combination of dsl actually happening for me and snl never really going away i didnt need to subject myself to eircom like that:)

dahamsta

Ah, joe22, that brings back memories!

adam

BKtje

Originally posted by Quorthon


For example, I tend to report 40-60 in Q3 on barrysworld servers but sometimes 70-120 on barrysworld CS servers. Im not sure why this is.

Q

Reasons for this are that different games have different netcodes which deal with packets and such differently. There are advantages and disadvantages to them and of course some are pure ****e

A m8 of mine played UT with the eircom TA and got pings of 140 to UK servers. he switched to a decent TA (eicon diva) and it was lowered to 70-90. (like the rest of us isdners that play UT from ireland )

Leverz

Originally posted by dahamsta
Ah, joe22, that brings back memories!

adam

Memories??

MEMORIES??

LOL Joe22 was nuked nuked nuked, he was flamed so often he wen nuclear ;P

prolly why he aint been seen since. ;P

oisin

I'm thinking of going down the ISDN road since DSL is not available in my area (Lucan) yet. If I want 128k downloads I'm told I need a special account with my ISP to allow this.

Has anyone using Hi-Speed got any experience with this? Any ideas on price etc. Are there problems connecting at certain times? (Some evening it takes me half an hour to connect to Eircom or Esat with my current setup). I've checked out Eircom and Esat web sites but I can't find any info on ISDN type connections.

Quorthon

Originally posted by oisin
I'm thinking of going down the ISDN road since DSL is not available in my area (Lucan) yet. If I want 128k downloads I'm told I need a special account with my ISP to allow this.

Has anyone using Hi-Speed got any experience with this? Any ideas on price etc. Are there problems connecting at certain times? (Some evening it takes me half an hour to connect to Eircom or Esat with my current setup). I've checked out Eircom and Esat web sites but I can't find any info on ISDN type connections.

1) Oceanfree and I believe UTVLive support 128k on their free services - you dont need a special account

2) Price is Eur37.50 per month line rental (excluding vat). Calls are extra and are at normal peak/offpeak rates. 128k counts as 2 calls but you would only use 128k for large downloads anyway so it makes no difference - cost is the same.

3) No problems for me at any time connecting to any of Eircomnet/Oceanfree/UtvInternet.

Q

Quorthon

By the way, in this thread I did a comparison of the various costs of ISDN compared to ADSL and why you might want to go for either service.


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53266&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

Regs


Q

infomat

Originally posted by oisin
I'm thinking of going down the ISDN road since DSL is not available in my area (Lucan) yet. If I want 128k downloads I'm told I need a special account with my ISP to allow this.

As a matter of interest, who told you that you need a special account? I use www.utv.ie which is a free service (you do of course pay for connect time ... at 128k you pay double which is the equivalent of using two analogue lines pricewise). You do not need a special account for dual channel connections when using UTV.

donaloconnor

Originally posted by oisin
If I want 128k downloads I'm told I need a special account with my ISP to allow this.

By the way, you won't be able to get up to speeds of 128k/s. I guess 10k/sec. Am i right in saying that, like an average, don't use ISDN.

Frank Grimes

By the way, you won't be able to get up to speeds of 128k/s. I guess 10k/sec.

If you mean the download speeds you get on dual channel ISDN, you should get around 14k/sec or so when downloading.

BKtje

14.5 is about the average i get.
Late at night recently tho ive been getting 19.3 steady.

Noy sure why or if its just being mis read or whatever but it almost feels like broadband

KILLER.BEE

for give me if i same bit informed but did some one on this board
ask about the cost of ISDN ...you all say e37pm and nothing about
the cost to install it the ISP cut in the cost at the time was 199 for 64k and 400 for 128k and i had to pay for the modem to

so thats 37pm+199install +199isp pre year (or 400 for128)+1cent per min

Quorthon

Originally posted by KILLER.BEE
for give me if i same bit informed but did some one on this board
ask about the cost of ISDN ...you all say e37pm and nothing about
the cost to install it the ISP cut in the cost at the time was 199 for 64k and 400 for 128k and i had to pay for the modem to

so thats 37pm+199install +199isp pre year (or 400 for128)+1cent per min

Er I dotn know what it used to be but at the moment the cost is just Eur99 installation plus the cost of a terminal adapter. One of these can be had for Eur50.

Q

TitanFire

First, very interesting posts

Every time I've read the ISDN stuff or heard it, I've been anti them without hearing about it.

But... these posts really have made me think. I never thought it COULD make such a difference. Guess I was wrong.

Okie Dokie, I am I thinking of getting it now. I mainly use the net for gaming and some downloading (not much mind), and the bit of surfing. So... wondering if ye could help me out. I want to find out how much it will cost all in all.

At the moment, I'm on an Internal Trust 56k modem and find it a load of *$%^££$ for gaming... lag spikes make me want to throw the computer out the window!

I have two normal voice phone lines. Long story, but we had the second for something else, now only used for Net. My understanding is, if you want 128k, you need to connect on TWO lines? Does that mean both lines need upgrading, implying twice the installation costs? (I know, I know - lame question, but you only find out by asking!)

Next, when you do connect, say, 64k, you pay the same per min as connection through a modem at supposedly 56k?

Likewise, when you connect 128k you DO pay twice the charge per min? Makes sense I know..

What equipment all in all do you need and could ye give a run down on their costs!?

I'm in Sligo and DSL is looking grim Really, I dont think I need DSL, thus I'd be happy with the 64k connection. Would it be better to use one line and have the second there for "Those" times you need it? or is it better to get rid of second line and just stick to 64k?

Is 64k ISDN THAT big a difference than 56k for GAMING!? I'm in favour to think it does, that's why I'm considering getting it!!

Just to check, you can use phone when your using ISDN? Newbie question yes, and I think you can, I have read something on it! But I feel I should ask You know yourself

Finally, what are the pings on gaming? and what is the monthly charge? Is it more when you have the 2 lines?

BIG BIG Thanks in advance, cos I know you're all going to be a great help hehe ... flattery will get you everywhere, eh?

Cheers.

m1ke

i'll try n answer some of your questions :

If you have 2 normal lines into your gaff, i'd get rid of them and go for ISDN personally. I think it's slightly cheaper, and A LOT BETTER for gaming.

when you connect at 64k you pay like a normal 56k modem call (depending on what service provider you use, some offer cheaper 1891 numbers that are like 44 cents n hour or something like that).

treminal adaptor (isdn modem is about 50 euros), installation about 99 euros, that's all you need for it.

ISDN is really good for gaming compared to modem, in Ireland it is simply the only viable gaming solution out there. The difference between ISDN and 56k is so massive. I've never lost a game of Quake to someone on a modem for example

you get 2 channels 64k channels on one ISDN line, you can use the phone and surf the net simultaneously or bind both channels together for 128kbit downloads average around 14.5kb/sec this means you'll be paying for 2 phone calls.

monthly charge is slightly less then 2 normal lines,

infomat

Originally posted by KILLER.BEE
for give me if i same bit informed but did some one on this board
ask about the cost of ISDN ...you all say e37pm and nothing about
the cost to install it the ISP cut in the cost at the time was 199 for 64k and 400 for 128k and i had to pay for the modem to

so thats 37pm+199install +199isp pre year (or 400 for128)+1cent per min

I cost me £99 for the installation (already had a line) plus the cost of the modem (they are available at very low prices). I use UTV so there is no ISP cost.

infomat

Originally posted by TitanFire
First, very interesting posts


I have two normal voice phone lines.

Next, when you do connect, say, 64k, you pay the same per min as connection through a modem at supposedly 56k?

Likewise, when you connect 128k you DO pay twice the charge per min? Makes sense I know..

Just to check, you can use phone when your using ISDN?
Cheers.

(1) Get rid of one of your lines and have the remaining line upgraded to give you a Basic (ie two 64K channels plus D channel). You are charged for the upgrade.

The rental for the ISDN line is slightly less than the rental for two ordinary voice lines.

Think of the two channels as being equivalent to two telephone lines. If you make a 64K connection to the Internet the remaining 64K channel can be used for voice communications (incoming/outgoing phone calls). However, if you make a 128K connection then you are using the full capacity of your installation.

If you connect at 128K you are paying for two connections (equivalent to using two telephone lines).

I must admit that I prefer ISDN to ordinary POTS and would recommend it to you but as I have the option I intend to switch to ADSL fo Internet access.

TitanFire

Ah, thanks

So you think I should get rid of the second phone line, and have the original line upgraded to ISDN? That sounds cool.

Just to clarify, you say:

"The rental for the ISDN line is slightly less than the rental for two ordinary voice lines. "

When you say rental for ISDN line, how much is that? Does that include the normal line rental or is that now included in the ISDN rental charge?

Oh, yeah, some one posted that an Internal TA is better than Eircom's External one, yes? What model exactly would be best to buy and are they hard to install? Preferably, a model <€50. So long as it gives me a great 64k gaming ping and is cheaper and better than the one Eircom offer!

Thanks again, and apologies to sceptre for doubling the post

ando

Originally posted by TitanFire
Oh, yeah, some one posted that an Internal TA is better than Eircom's External one, yes? What model exactly would be best to buy

asus internal isdn terminal adapter - £30

infomat

Originally posted by TitanFire
Ah, thanks


Just to clarify, you say:

"The rental for the ISDN line is slightly less than the rental for two ordinary voice lines. "

The fixed monthly charge for the two channel ISDN service is Euro 30.99 plus 21% VAT which is less than two analogue lines at Euro 16.20 (plus VAT) each per month. The only additional ongoing cost is the cost of usage.

TitanFire

asus internal isdn terminal adapter - £30

Are they easy to install yourself or do you need to get someone to do it? I mean, is it straightforward? Where might I get one?

Thanks again. I'm going to get ISDN now since DSL does look like it'll be years away

ando

Originally posted by TitanFire


Are they easy to install yourself or do you need to get someone to do it? I mean, is it straightforward? Where might I get one?

Thanks again. I'm going to get ISDN now since DSL does look like it'll be years away

did you ever open up your pc before?

its simple enough, open your pc, find a white/cream slot. There's usually around 4/5 in pc's nowadays. Put the TA into one of those slots, startup your machine and it should detect it. Then when it asks for drivers, use the one's on the CD that comes with the TA

TitanFire

Yeah mate, I have. I installed a new CDRW Drive myself and an Internal 56k modem on another PC. Thanks for the info If I can find out where I can get one, I might give it a shot!

Any ideas? Asus one is better than the eircom one? I thought that as a general rule, external were better than internal?

Quorthon

See this url for a discussion of the relative merits of the Asus TA and the Eicon Diva, both of which are recognised as the two best TA's going. Although different people have different preferences, I think everyone would be agreed that either of these two is far superior (and cheaper too) to the TA supplied by Eircon.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54539


Q

elexes

ive been using isdn at home for the last 2 years . my avg phone bill to the net is round €200 so ill be getting adsl whenever i can and it will be the 1 meg line one with no dl limit . i dl a huge ammount of stuff with it and also play loads of games .

been using the diva for the last 2 years and its proving to be very good

@ 64k i get dlspeeds of about 7.9
@ 128 i get about 14.5

ping to radox at times goes to 29 - 50 steady esp at night after 12 for some reason . to english cs servers pings usualy about 70 - 130 i think its mutch better then a normal 56k would think of changing back .

ando

Originally posted by TitanFire
I installed Internal 56k modem on another PC

There you go, its exactly the same as installing an internal 56k

TitanFire

Hehe, thanks. I'll see which is the cheaper and decide then. I've Win98 but I want the best ping and easiest set up!!

PS - I was just browsing Komplett.ie and I could get the Asus one for about €50 with postage and the Eicon for about €80 with postage. Any recommendations now? Obviously money is a factor but is there a big difference between them that makes the Eicon €30 more? I'm really interested in pings and no lag!

ando

Originally posted by TitanFire
Hehe, thanks. I'll see which is the cheaper and decide then. I've Win98 but I want the best ping and easiest set up!!

PS - I was just browsing Komplett.ie and I could get the Asus one for about €50 with postage and the Eicon for about €80 with postage. Any recommendations now? Obviously money is a factor but is there a big difference between them that makes the Eicon €30 more? I'm really interested in pings and no lag!

jeez, your worse than my girl when she's shopping for clothes !!!! my advice is get the asus, its upto you. its the cheapest and best


*My Sig is too big!!*

CivilServant

So if I just wanted to get the single line of ISDN say and not pay that extra 1.26c per minute. I could log onto one of those free ISDN ISPs and boost my current internet connection by 50% All you have to pay for is the ASUS modem.

Is that possible or am I talking out of my other mouth?