ISDN worth the money?

[Sweeper]

My current phone company if offering Free ISDN Connection $116.00 off. But it excludes inside wiring and requires hardware and software that is sold separatly. $40 dollars a month for the service. How good is ISDN and is it worth it? Should I get there hardware etc. or should I find my own. I do not have any experience with ISDN. Much info is needed.
Thanks
Sweeper

[KAknight]

An ISP can cost around $20 a month for unlimited access. The cost of a 2nd phone line is also around $20 a month. Then you are only getting a connection at (I'm guessing) 56K. I think that and ISDN connection would be a lot nicer. The hardware and wiring are just one time fees, and the cost per month is probably about what you are paying.

I say go for it.

[desmocat]

I was going to go the same route, but I found out that the total cost to get me going was about 500-600 bucks. The line charge was going to be 53 dollars a month, on top of the ISP charge. Mine was southwestern bell. If you are interested, I have an ISDN modem that is brand new in the box with all software,and serial cable,and rj45 cable. It is a USRobotics 128k I modem model U which means it does not require an external NT-1 device. It plugs right into the ISDN jack on the wall. I will sell for $150.00, thats less than half price. E-mail if you are interested. Mark
Additional info: Ask to see if it is dual channel ISDN or single channel. Single channel is 64Kbps,dual is 128Kbps. Both alot faster than regular dial up,but much slower than DSL or cable. The reason I was going to do ISDN was that I was too far out for DSL and cable isn't in my neighborhood yet. The modem I have will do both single and dual channel. You will also have to find out what kind of switch your CO has to configure the modem to communicate with it. The software that the modem comes with is very good to help you with setting it up. Ask to speak with someone in the ISDN department at your telco,because most of the people in regular customer service have not a clue about ISDN or how to set it up.Don't ask how I know about that 3com has a number to call when you want service,and I think they will do alot of the dealing with the telco as far as setting up your connection .

[This message has been edited by desmocat (edited 10-20-2000).]

[Sweeper]

This is what I was told it will cost me for ISDN. Sounds a bit to much for me...
Thank you for your inquiry regarding residential ISDN service. The
service is available in your area. The monthly service starts at $77.03
per month for the "data only" ISDN capability package (call management
features may be added at a few more dollars per month). This includes
all of your local calls or connections in your local calling area. The
one-time installation charge is normally $116.50, which brings the line
to the point where it terminates at the junction box on the outside of
the house (is being waived now through the end of November). You would
not need new inside wiring if your planning on replacing the second line
in your house with ISDN. You would want to make sure that your internet
service provider is ISDN capable, either at 64k or 128k. You would also
need an ISDN modem or terminal adapter in order for the line to work for
you. This equipment may be purchased from our equipment vendor or from
most computer stores.

[thekingofpain]

Yeah that BITES!!! Earthlink advertises it for @ 128 for 24$ a month, add everything in and NO WAY would you buy it...sucks megarocks...Gilat will hopefully assist the broadband challenged...AND soon...

[Missing the point]

My current phone company if offering Free ISDN Connection $116.00 off.

So, what you are saying, is that there is $116 off "free" ISDN? So they are paying YOU $116 to get ISDN?

That is a pretty sweet deal!!!


lmao

[Sweeper]

They are saying that they will waive the normally $116.00 charge to run the ISDN line to the junction box on the outside of the house. But I will still have to pay for my Internet service and there additional $77.03 which would equal over $100.00 a month for internet service, plus the modem and software. They advertised that it was only $40.00 a month... What I don't understand is: "). You would
NOT need new inside wiring if your planning on replacing the second line
in your house with ISDN.

[desmocat]

I think the reason thet say that is because ISDN still only uses a 2 wire loop, in-that all that needs to be done is to install an RJ-45 jack in the wall so the cable will fit into it from the modem/NT-1 device. You would think that all the telcos would be lowering the price of ISDN because of all the offerings of DSL and having competition with the cable companies. ISDN started out as a "high speed" voice/data capable service,aimed mostly at businesses,and priced it as such, and the stupid heads have yet to figure out that home users are not willing to pay business rates for a lower bandwidth connection when DSL is available for alot less.DUUHHH!!! I will wait for DSL to get to my area,they are in process of extending availability as we speak,by use of "mini COs" a box full of DSLAM's connected by fiber back to the main CO. Hurry -up! Mp
EDIT> also, if you use ISDN as your sole connection for comm, when your power goes out, no power to modem=no internet and ..oh yeah no voice service either! such a deal..
[This message has been edited by desmocat (edited 10-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by desmocat (edited 10-21-2000).]

[Sweeper]

well, the town just down the road is set up for DSL, so my town can't be to far away. I might just wait. But I am going to call and see if I can complain enough to get the price down. If not then I will just wait for DSL.