World Online has launched a new 128k integrated services digital network (ISDN) service that operates on the standard basic rate access (BRA) ISDN lines Telkom installs.
BRA ISDN operates on two 64k lines called B channels. Having two B channels allows multiple devices to make use of the ISDN lines at one time, but limits each of the two devices to only 64k bandwidth, including ISDN modems used for connecting to the Internet.
"Telkom has provided the service in this configuration to enable users to continue making telephone calls or receiving faxes while the Internet connection is active," says Derek Hunt, GM: sales at World Online. "It offers a flexible service to suit all customers."
However, some users do want the full 128k available to their Internet connection. Hunt expects the bulk of demand for the new 128k service to come from small businesses and premium home subscribers. This is because combining the two lines does not suit all ISDN users: while it does allow multiple devices to continue operating simultaneously, it effectively cuts bandwidth for each device to only 64k.
Cost is also a factor in the equation. While Hunt concedes Telkom has made an effort to reduce the costs associated with ISDN by subsidising installation costs in a bid to improve user acceptance, line rental from Telkom is over R150. World Online is currently offering the standard 64k ISDN line for R200 and the 128k ISDN service for R350 per month.
"This is very cost-effective for the amount of bandwidth and other benefits users garner from the service and it is suited to slightly higher demand situations such as small businesses and premium users," says Hunt. World Online currently has in the region of 2 000 ISDN subscribers, a number that shot up in September last year during the height of a Telkom marketing campaign.
World Online aims to double that number in the near future now that it has managed to overcome the two-line, 64k Internet bandwidth limitation on ISDN by implementing an application on the router at the point of presence (POP) that combines the two 64k lines. It effectively allows delivery of the full 128k to the user`s Internet connection. Of course, this means that users can only have their ISDN modem in operation on the line.
"ISDN has become far more accessible to a greater proportion of Internet users and we expect our new 128k service to double our number of ISDN subscribers," says Hunt.
ISDN offers users improved connection speeds using digital technology. The quality of ISDN is far higher than plain old telephone system (POTS) analogue lines such as those employed for ordinary telephones or standard dialup Internet connections. Time-savings are achieved on ISDN because with speeds up to 10 times faster than analogue modems downloads occur that much quicker.
Cost savings using ISDN can be achieved in many ways: using video conferencing will reduce travel costs to attend meetings, while using bandwidth top-up to complement existing digital leased lines will reduce the number of leased lines needed.
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