| Satellite to ISDN should I make the leap. Info needed. Well after several months of experimenting and revisiting some technologies that I have tried in the past ISDN looks like the only workable solution to dumping Wildblue. Will I be happy with my decision?
No DSL in my area.
Tethering ATT Edge network still has large downloads stalling just as it did when I tried it 5 years ago. 3G is on my door step but not quite in my area yet.
What is the average download speed for ISDN?
Should I wait for 3G?
Thanks |
|
|
|
| I'm not an expert, but ISDN is two 64kbs connections bonded together, making it 128kbs connection, about twice as fast as dial-up. Average ping time are 100ms-150ms with online gaming, maybe less depending on servers.
I actually used IDSL, which is is an upgraded data service based on ISDN. The only difference I noticed was the connection speed. IDSL used Both B channels (64kbs) plus the D channel, which equals 144Kbs connection.
If I were gaming, and using the net a lot, I would jump ship from Satellite and get either ISDN, or IDSL if available. |
|
 fozngoofPremium
join:2003-07-08
Temple, TX | reply to pnyxxpress
Depends on what you want to do, and also on the $$$$ factor in your area.
ISDN is expensive, though sat is too.
3G is very nice on our cell phones, but I have no experience with it on a real computer. It has some serious potential. It also is relatively inexpensive compared to the other two.
ISDN is nice to have for a consistent upload/download/ping. Though it is still a far cry from real broadband. I had it for a couple of years and it kicked the crap out of my 26.4 dialup.
Might call someone, and sorry I don't know who that someone is, and see how long it is till they plan on deploying the 3G network to your area.
Unless you need something fairly quickly, I would wait and see if the 3G gets to your area. Then if it still doesn't fulfill your needs, you can look into ISDN. |
|
| reply to pnyxxpress
If you want to play games online where a low ping is required, then yes, dump satellite for ISDN if you can't find a WISP or afford a T1.
If you want to download a lot, then ISDN can let you download more than sat. Although it'll be slower downloading over ISDN, you should be able to average about 1GB down and up per day if you keep the connection maxed 24/7. If WildBlue still has the 5GB/month limit then ISDN definately wins in the total usable bandwidth catagory, if you have the patience for it.
ISDN is a pair of 64kbps connections in one wire. It can reach 128kbps maximum if you bond them together . That comes to only 16KB/s, though if you include TCP/IP's overhead you're really looking at about 13-14KB/sec. That only applies if you use both channels for data. If you use one line for voice you'll cut those numbers in half.
Ping times can be pretty reliable usually hovering around 150ms, but can get as high as 600+ on occasion, though it's semi-rare in my experience. My wife and I were both able to play Guild Wars at the same time with only occasional lag.
My ISDN runs me about $60 a month, although that required a 2 year contract, and $100 install fee and a $100 jack install fee.
If what you're primarily doing is just causal browsing and email checking and IM, then you'll probably be happier on satellite or even dialup than ISDN. If you're gaming or downloading, ISDN is definately a option to consider if you don't have a WISP, DSL, or Cable connection available. |
|
| reply to pnyxxpress
The line is being installed next week. Gaming would be great to do again. My downloads are descent with WB but really depends. Everytime I need it, it seems to be something going on, weather, too many users online and https totally sucks. |
|
