Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| complete ISDN newbie.. LOTS of questions
ok, up until now ive been fortunate enough to live in areas that have Cable or DSL access. Now, we live out in the middle of nowhere.
We've recently purchased Sprint Mobile Broadband and I am pretty impressed with the service (plenty of bandwidth for downloads and stuff) except for one thing:
online gaming.
online gaming is pretty much the only contact i have with my friends outside of once every month or so getting together, so it is pretty important to me as a way to still have fun with my friends.
we're considering getting an ISDN line specifically for gaming (and keeping the Sprint connection for general web surfing and downloading - since its got plenty of badwidth, but junk latency)
from what ive seen so far on this site, ISDN has latency that im used to - 50-100ish ms - not the 200-350 i average on EVDO.
so i have a ton of questions regarding ISDN:
how expensive is it usually to get it installed?
when the phone company installs it, do they also install all/most of the hardware needed to actually use the thing for the internet? (I.E, im sure id need to get a router or modem of some kind, but is it usually going to be ready for me to just plug said device in and be done?)
do you usually have to get a separate internet provider to use the ISDN with, or does the phone company provide that for you? Or does it vary? Someone said try getting a business installation - does that cost more usually (but has infinite usage?). Ive also seen that Sprint offers some T1-speed ISDN packages for business, but i immagine those are hugely expensive and out of my reach. (though if it is within 30-40% of the combined cost of the EVDO and ISDN, it may be worth it..)
how much is the monthly fee, usually, for an ISDN? And ive seen some places here where people have said that it is charged a per-minute fee. Is that always the case? (if so, that would be terrible..)
Is it difficult to manage an ISDN connection or is it always-on, like i am used to with Cable and DSL?
basically, i'm a complete newbie when it comes to anything ISDN related, since ive never had to consider the technology before (though i knew it existed and it used regular phone lines and all that) and could really use an in-depth primer if anyone has a link to it or is patient enough to write me up a walk-through.
and lastly - is anyone in or around Lapeer (Lapeer County) Michigan, using an ISDN? and if so, who do i need to call to get one installed?
thanks in advance, and if you can think of any other advice that might be helpful, feel free! |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net | even some links to modern/up to date guides would be appreciated.
most of the stuff ive found online is years out of date. |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
 ·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
I'll answer some of your questions, as best as I can remember them.
BTW even the old links will be very helpful. Not much, if anything, has changed.
Pings for the games will be around 70-120, depending on the servers.
The install will vary, mine was around $200. I got it waived by agreeing to keep it for 2 years.
They will install the line. The phone company will not supply a router or modem. (Get those from a member here or on EBAY)
There is a little bit of setup to get the modem/router working. Ask here, and search through this forum for help.
My ISDN was about $70/month. Though you will have to also pay for an ISP. $10-$50/month.
You can leave your ISDN on all the time if you have an unlimited ISP plan. Though I used the dial on demand, and never really noticed it dialing out. It is super fast.
I noticed no real difference between DSL/Cable and ISDN when it comes to normal web surfing. Downloading files on the other hand are much slower, though you said you have other options for downloads.
Read through the FAQ's at the top of the forums.
Hope that helped a little.
Foz |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| I guess what i meant about the phone company installing everything i need to get up and running was:
if i get said ISDN modem/router, will i just be able to plug it in (and do any configuration i need, obviously, to get the thing to dial) and go? or am i going to have to monkey with wires and crap?
and who do i call? the local local telephone company? Im not even too sure who that is here....
also, about roughly how much does an ISDN modem/router cost? |
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storm58
join:2007-11-01
edit:
December 20th, @08:36AM
| reply to Nikodaemos
We called our phone company (Verizon) then they passed us off to someone who does a loop qualification test. Almost two months later and they still haven't done a thing. |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
You plug on cord into the jack, and the other into the modem/router. That is all the monkeying you will have to do...with wiring.
You will have to configure the modem/router. Your ISP "may" be able to help you. Otherwise we can help.
Modem/router can range as high as a few hundred dollars to $10. All depends on when you look, and where you look. (If you are serious about ISDN, might see if anyone here has one they will sell you) |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| yeah, definitely serious. the ping on WB just isnt there for gaming. (or anything else latency sensitive). The actual bandwidth of the service is great so far, but i need a reliable low ping to game on.
just trying to figure out who i have to call and pester to get one put in out here, and then find an ISP that will support 128k ISDN. |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
Call your phone company. They may not know what you are talking about. See if they can transfer you to someone that knows something about T1 lines. (You don't need a T1, but they should at least be able to point you in the right direction)
Good Luck.
ps. You might register with the forums. Lots of cool stuff here. |
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Parnelli Jones
@charter.com
| reply to Nikodaemos
In Tennessee, ISDN is around $45/month for the line. Trying to find a 128k ISP is another matter. Seems like not many do nowadays and if they do, they want 30 - 50 bucks.
I have SEVERAL and I do mean SEVERAL ISDN TA's and a couple LAN TAs. I keep extras just in case.
Ebay is your best bet for TA's. Just keep an eye out for them. Also, be real careful about talking ISDN with the "normals" out there. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "how do you spell that?"
Gotta love the non-geeks.  |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| well ill be calling AT&T today to see about getting it installed and pricing.
is there a huge difference between a normal Ethernet-equipped TA and a LAN TA(router, im assuming) in price?
and though i think i asked this already - am i going to need something other than a TA/LAN TA and a number to call? |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
You need:
an ISDN line
an ISP (number to call)
Terminal Adapter
and a computer
As for the TA. Get what suits your needs. If you only connect to one computer, get the appropriate device. If you think you might want to connect multiple computers, get that device. I don't remember there being a huge difference in price. (and it varies, depending on who is selling it) |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| I'm finding it impossible to figure out who to call at AT&T to even talk to someone about an ISDN line. every number on their website either sends you to an automated DSL ordering line or an automated Dial-up ordering line.
Is there some number i can call to actually talk to a real live person? |
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music4praise
join:2006-02-22
Big Rapids, MI
 ·QuantumVoice
·VoicePulse
| Here are some possibilities:
800-649-9598
If you are interested in AT&T ISDN service, contact your AT&T Sales Representative who can provide more detailed information on service features and help you place your order. You may also contact us for assistance using the following telephone numbers:
* For Calls within Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin: 1-800-552-8647
* For calls within California and Nevada: 1-800-472-4736
* For calls within Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas: 1-800-792-4736
* For calls within Connecticut: 1-888-718-7638 |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
Ask for someone to help you with T1 lines and ISDN lines. The people that deal with T1's should be able to direct you to the right place. (The initial operator is more likely to know what T1 lines are than ISDN)
It is almost always considered a "business" class. So make sure you are not going through residential service.
Good luck |
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Nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| most of those numbers lead to a computer with menu's that i havent been able to make dump me out at a real person.
good to know ill have to call a business rep - that will save time
can anyone recommend a good ISP for ISDN service?
id like unlimited connections without mortgaging my soul. |
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music4praise
join:2006-02-22
Big Rapids, MI
·QuantumVoice
·VoicePulse
| I did some more digging around. Here is the number I used for isdn orders/changes several years ago when I still had isdn service. I just dialed it and it is currently closed (today is Saturday and it is open M-F) but the message said AT&T Consumer Data Services Center so I am sure it is the right number for you.
888-878-4736 |
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nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net | much obliged.
does AT&T happen to offer a package for internet access as well? id rather write one check/make one payment. |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to Nikodaemos
going to have to say no
SBC/YAHOO has been hit or miss with some users. If you get it to work it is less than $10/month. I had it work for quite awhile, but then I only could get one line up at a time.
It is one of those things you will have to try and see if it works for you.
If you want ZERO headache. Go with someone that supports dual bonded logins. |
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nikodaemos
@spcsdns.net
| ive been looking for a local ISP, and most of them seem to want 70-80 bucks a month for a 128k login w/unlimited hours.
Im not sure that id use it more than 200 hours/month (which is what most seem to offer for 20 bucks or so) but i dont want to inadvertently do so and then end up with a huge bill.
im trying to find someone that has unlimited connection time for a decent price (between 10-40 bucks a month) |
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fozngoof
Premium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX | reply to Nikodaemos
Remember that is 200 total hours. You will be using both channels to get the 128 speed, so in actuality you will only get 100 hours/channel = 200.
If you do get the limited hours make sure your TA disconnects after you use it. |
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