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From: terry@spcvxb.spc.edu (Terry Kennedy, Operations Mgr.)
Subject: Re: ISDN Support
Nntp-Posting-Host: spcvxa.spc.edu
References: <D8HrLr.BnG@emr1.emr.ca> <1995May12.220442.1@spcvxb.spc.edu> <D8Kvn7.EoF@metrics.com>
Sender: news@spcuna.spc.edu (Network News)
Organization: St. Peter's College, US
Date: Sun, 14 May 1995 23:31:03 GMT
Message-ID: <1995May14.193103.1@spcvxb.spc.edu>
Lines: 37
In article <D8Kvn7.EoF@metrics.com>, tomh@metrics.com (Tom Haapanen) writes:
> Like us, Jay's telco is Bell Canada, which offers a full two-channel 128K
> ISDN connection for C$78/month (US$55/month) flat rate, no extra usage
> charges. It's definitely cheaper than buying 56k copper unless your
> leased line is *really* short.
"no _extra_ usage charges"? I assume you don't get lower rates than you
would with an analog line? If you have a flat rate local calling area and
the number(s) you want to call are in that area, then it's definitely a
win. Once you start calling to number(s) that are outside the flat rate
area, you need to figure out how many minutes/month you can connect before
the 56Kb leased circuit is less expensive. Many telcos are trying to get
rid of flat rate or untimed (the call costs X cents regardless of how long
you stay connected) calling plans. People who already have flat rate or
untimed service can keep it, but the telco won't provide it on new installs,
even for additional lines at an existing flat-rate/untimed customer. And (of
course) you need to make sure that the called party is ISDN-capable. You
know that, but I saw another thread where somebody said they were going to
order an ISDN line so they could call a BBS and not worry about modem com-
patibility. However, that BBS doesn't have ISDN 8-) So, if you're planning
on using flat-rate ISDN as a substitute for a 56Kb leased circuit, you really
need to base your costs on 2 * the ISDN charge (one at each end). If the far
end is going to be shared, then things are different.
> I'm very happy with our Pipeline 50 ISDN router: for about US$1100, it's
> not loading the the BSDI box's CPU, has additional filtering capabilities
> and is as stable as bedrock. :)
True, but the original poster said they wanted something that would connect
directly to the BSDI box so they wouldn't have to "spend $2000 on a router"
as I recall. Personally, I use Cisco 2500's for digital leased lines and Tele-
bit NetBlazers for analog modems, so I agree with you. In some cases, the user
has to be more cost-conscious, though.
Terry Kennedy Operations Manager, Academic Computing
terry@spcvxa.spc.edu St. Peter's College, Jersey City, NJ USA
+1 201 915 9381 (voice) +1 201 435-3662 (FAX)