Is ADSL cheaper than Dialup?

[ramesh]

Looking at my phone bills the other day (my line is used exclusively for dialling to the Internet, no voice calls) I was tken aback that my recent bills had all been in the $5000+ range. This figure included Rental/other charges and GCT. The dialup account charge is not included as this is charged elsewhere.

I did some rough maths and I figured out that perhaps something is amiss.

I approximately use three hours of dialup at home per day. Six hours on Sunday. Total 24 hours x 60 minutes x 4 1/4 weeks/month = 6120 minutes per month.

Local calls are made during various rate times. Assume an average of 50 cents per minute average. Cost of dialling the Internet: $3060.00

Add to this the monthly fixed cost for dialup: US$40 x 60 = JA$2400.00.

Total cost of connecting to the Internet: $5460.00.

Now, compare this with ADSL cost: monthly charge of 4000.00 for 128/64 (lowest end) and 6000.00 for 256/128 (Select). Factor in that the speeds are significantly faster, connection is always on, and there is very little processor use to handle modem traffic and you have to ask: why do we still use dialup?

(One correction made above. By mistake I wrote week instead of month. Corrected word is in bold)

[Arch_Angel]

Ok, you stumped me Ramesh. What's the answer? ;)

That's the very reason I switched to adsl 128/64 package.

My phone bills was coming up to $10,000 month. Spending about $7000 on dial-up internet alone.

So you can see where moving to adsl would be a money saver, not to mention faster and always on.

[netfreak28]

i totally agree ramesh dial up is such an expensive comodity dsl is mosdef the way to go jamaica should jus be all out broad band

[tech_guru]

Yes especially for Persons who spend in excess of 4 hours online dialy on a dialup link switching to ADSL can be beneficial...

[Boo]

Interesting observation Ramesh. I didn't know that there is a toll charge when persons wanted to use dial up in JA...well maybe if C&W ain't the dial up provider ::)

In a way ADSL is a bit cheaper than dial up there. Comparing unlimited 56K at EC$129 per month and ADSL Ultra 128K at EC$179. If you use your current line for dial up, your phone is blocked from receiving call so an extra line is needed which would include a monthly rental for the line plus installation charges and GCT. ADSL works on the same line without blocking the line plus faster speeds. :D

So technically speaking, ADSL cheaper than dial up :)

[digimar]

WOW, i thought internet access was unlimited period. Who would have known. I am certainly glad that C&W got their rate increase application denied becuase paying per hour to use the internet is just wrong.

Right now i pay $40 BBD ($1,214.33 JMD) for unlimited internet access. On the flipside ADSL is way more expensive at about $200 BBD ($6,071.63 JMD) including the added line rental for the lowest speed which is 256kbps dl/ 64kbps up

[ramesh]

Ok, Digimar and Boo: Do you connect to a toll-free number when you connect to the Internet - this is important in determining how much you pay overall. If you do dial a toll-free number, then you only pay for the unlimited hours account.

[Boo]

Ok, Digimar and Boo: Do you connect to a toll-free number when you connect to the Internet - this is important in determining how much you pay overall. If you do dial a toll-free number, then you only pay for the unlimited hours account.




The local numbers which we use to dial into the internet is toll-free even for Option B that pays for landline to landline calls. I get unlimited calling between landlines. We only pay for the unlimited hours plus GCT and nothing else.

The ADSL Ultra (128k) plan that I using now is designed for persons who use the internet alot but don't wanna pay for unlimited dial up plus get a second line so that they don't tie up their first phone line....which in effect works out comparable to ADSL Ultra. For "True" speeds, the more expensive packages are needed :)

[Chris]

I did this analysis some time ago and realised that dial-up was only for the persons who rarely connect to the Internet or who connect for very short periods only. Once your usage is anywhere like what Ramesh calculated (3+ hours per day) then broadband is for you.

[digitalchef]

wow, i never actually thought about it. i use 3+ hours everyday, and maybe 5+ on weekends, maybe i should get adsl also. i wouldn't tie up the phone line, and i'm always complaining how slow dial-up is.

decisions, decisions.

[Techsavvy]

it seems adsl is cheaper than all forms on internet access @ the moment including mobile ;D :o,So ??? who is considered the best service provider n wat r the initial cost 4 equipment n installation.anybody??? ???

[Greatis]

their is only one adsl provider and thats C and W techsavvy.

[digitalchef]

its US50 for connection and US60 monthly. i hear that the modem was about 15gran in the past. but i don't know how much it is now.

check out the following link for more info, techsavvy.

http://home.cwjamaica.com/content/products_services/business/adsl/index.asp

[Boo]

You can do like me and take advantage of specials. We never paid for internet connections..not for dial up nor broadbad. We even got a modem FREE. :o ;D

[Techsavvy]

well thanks to digi im getting it all free!!!!

[ramesh]

The cost for a new Speedtouch 510 with four port is US$120, you will also need a splitter (not very expensive) if you want to use the same line for voice calls. Then there is the US$50 setup charge. Of course, don't forget the GCT! ;D

[Virus_NCU]

It would be nice if C&W offer Tollfree numbers for dialup users. does anyone knows if C&W ever consider this?

[Chris]

It would be nice if C&W offer Tollfree numbers for dialup users. does anyone knows if C&W ever consider this?


I did hear a little birdie suggest to me that C&W have considered it but it would be seen by the OUR as an unfair competitive act. :-\

[Arch_Angel]

I did hear a little birdie suggest to me that C&W have considered it but it would be seen by the OUR as an unfair competitive act. :-\
Little birdie eh? ;)

I remember it was in the papers about suggesting that C&W allow ISP's to use a toll free number for thier customers to access the internet. To save costs on paying for dialup.

So your isp would give you a special dialup number that would be toll free. So you would only be charging for the internet use and not for the phone bill.

C&W was all for it also, but as Chris said, OUR rejected the idea as unfair.

[CyVan]

I did the calculations and my bill was about $1G cheaper than going with ADSL. But I still switched to the C&W 128 package cuz the advantages where more than worth the cost.

24/7 'broadband' net access at home totally changes how you do things in ways you never expected.

I can now work from home if there's no absolute need to go to the office since most of my work involves net access 8)

[Chris]

@Arch: It's a little different from that. The ISPs would essentially have to pay for the calls if they offered a toll-free number and this would increase their costs. C&W however would be able to offer the toll-free number for their dial-up accounts at significantly lower costs to themselves. This is what the OUR would complain about because it would create an unfair advantage.

[Greatis]

Ramesh if you use the adsl line for voice calls also are you charged for that seperately. Or you just pay the $60 us per month still?

[ramesh]

As I know it you will get two bills. One for the ADSL charges and one for telephone charges.

[Ivan]

I get one bill per month - it contains both telephone charges and adsl fees

[Arch_Angel]

I get one bill per month - it contains both telephone charges and adsl fees
Same here. The adsl bill comes on my regular telephone bill.

[ramesh]

So much for what I know! ;D Well, I just got ADSL installed at home and waiting for the next bill. (gulp!)