IDSL, is it worth it?

[spartan]

Is IDSL worth the money? I mean the hardware cost 1.5 more than ADSL/SDSL and the monthly charges are equal or more than ADSL which run at faster speeds.
A 144kbps IDSL is only about 3X faster than a 56K right?

 

[dukenukem]

IDSL is really just ISDN all bundled up into one pipe (2B + D = 64+64+16=144), if you can get ADSL then get it. IDSL/ISDN does not have the distance limitations, but is much slower.
Real throughput on IDSL would likely be 4-5X faster than a typical "56K" modem.

I just use ISDN and it connects at 64K most of the time, bumping up to 128K for large downloads and it really isn't much different than cable or ADSL for web browsing because it has about the same latency. But for large downloads I am stuck at about 15KB/s

 

[spartan]

Well, I checked and my line can only support speeds up to 144kbps and looking at prices for IDSL, it seems that going for a free DSL service like Winfire which gives 144kbps for free (I need to buy the modem) might be a better solution. But then again, WinFire's reliability ratings aren't great.

 

[ChicagoMaroon]

I just got ADSL installed today from Pac Bell (after 3 years of bugging them, they finally lit up the remote gateway by my house). I had IDSL from Northpoint since last July and it sure beat the snot out of 2k/s dialup. Low latency, ~16-17k/s d/ls, always on connection for $40/month... not a bad deal, but 1.5Mps for $40 is a better deal.

Oh, BTW, if you need an IDSL modem, I have this 3COM one that is just lying around now.

 

[spartan]

Does Northpoint do IDSL? I went to thier website and they keep asking me to sign up with MSN DSL and check with them.

 

[live4spd]

Just be aware the Northpoint has recently announced backruptcy. Don't know what effect that would have on end users.

 

[flashbone]

At least in my area (where I can't get anything above IDSL), IDSL is cheaper than ISDN. I had ISDN at my apartment, and got IDSL when I bought my house. I ended up getting about a 5-7k increase in speed. Not much, but when it's all you can get, it's something.

 

[dirkdaring]

I have 128/128 IDSL from RealConnect in Ashburn Virginia. I love it. Hey -- I can't get 2-way cable (not here) nor SDSL/ADSL (not available, fiber is everywhere).

I love it. I have to say that. The pings are AMAZING for gaming. I get 14.5K/sec up and down at the same time (can upload 14.5K while downloading 14.5K). I have 4 computers networked behind it on a Linksys 4-port router.

It's always on... it's always up. Never has gone down. That's about all I can say, no problems. Love the thing!

Oh, I pay $59 a month for mine. Modem lease was free, $99 install.

Dirk

 

[spartan]

I don't know why but IDSL is expensive in Boston. 144kbps for like $90 a month. I don't understand why that is when a 384k/128k ADSL is only $40. Not only that, the IDSL modem is more expensive too.

 

[dukenukem]

I'll just stick with my ISDN. I can call 2 locations at the same time or bond the two B channels. My Internet service is just $7 a month unlimited no ads and the ISDN line is just $22. $29 total for 2 phone lines, two data lines, or one 128K pipe. And with my router and NAT I have what is effectively always on service (Just takes 1 sec for router to automatically set up call and log in)

Now if I could get ADSL then I might jump to that $40 a month bill......

Bottom line get what is best for your area and at a price you can afford.

 

[ChicagoMaroon]

Northpoint has IDSL facilities, but it will depend on whether the ISP you choose will provision it. IDSL costs more than regular DSL to setup.