Incorrect modem settings or manual selection of Telkom`s second 64Kbps ISDN channel could leave customers with a larger than usual phone bill, as there is a possibility that the modem may be automatically dialling the user`s Internet service provider (ISP).
Telkom says its Multilink service was designed to enhance the capability of the South African Internet Exchange (SAIX) network, by bonding the available two 64Kbps ISDN channels into a single 128Kbps Internet access channel.
However, a problem can be caused by the modems of some non-Multilink customers, which may automatically establish short duration calls to ISPs.
While the result is a successful telephone call destined to the ISP through Telkom`s network, the ISP immediately terminates it, as ISPs do not accept a 64Kbps subscriber as being a 128Kbps (Multilink) type subscriber.
According to the monopoly, it encouraged ISPs that use the SAIX network to correct customers` modem settings in April, although it says a large number of short duration calls are still prevalent.
"These are valid calls that are transmitted and switched at a cost to Telkom, and from 1 September we will bill these calls in order to recover our costs," says Randall Seidl, Telkom`s managing executive of corporate and global markets.
He says short duration calls generated through manually selecting the second ISDN channel will also be billed from 1 September, and he urges basic rate ISDN customers to approach their ISPs in order to ensure their modems are correctly configured by that date.
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