Canadian guys: DSL suggestions in TO

[lordadi]

Dear all,



It has been a long time that I have been using Rogers DSL for internet and am no longer amused by their rates. I am looking for an alternative DSL company (in TO) which has earned your favour. It has to be "dry" -- I don't want a phone line but Vonage HAS to work.




All suggestions welcome,


LordAdi.

[lordadi]

Creepy feeling--bump!

[OboeNerd]

The only companies I know of here in Richmond Hill (Not that far off from you) are Rogers and Bell... I don't really see anybody else here. Most of the other companies out there only service our next-door neighbours, the USA.

[OboeNerd]

Just found this:
http://www.canadianisp.ca/cgi-bin/ispsearch.cgi?f=Search&p=ON

Maybe you can start your research here? There's also a VOIP compatibility tab in the table too.

[Quake]

It would be best if you post this question in this DSL/cable forum: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/canbroadband

[GrouchoMarx]

I don't know if these guys are "dry" but I've heard they're ok, and have decent rates:

http://www.acanac.ca/

Problem with DSL is that the service really depends on your location. And in the end they all rent their lines from Rogers or Bell anyways.

[Quake]

I think all ISPs in Ontario/Québec that uses Bell's DSL network offer the possibility of a dry line.

And they're quite a few ISPs to choose from:
Velcom: http://www.velcom.ca
TekSavvy.com: http://www.teksavvy.com
Acanac:: http://www.acanac.ca
Caneris: http://www.caneris.com

I personally use Velcom and it's been great. They offer unlimited bandwidth for $29.95.

[lordadi]

Thanks OboeNerd, GrouchoMarx and Quake for the suggestions and the links. Will check them out and thanks for the info about Velcom, I did'nt know that they existed!



LordAdi.

[hotweiss]

Just keep in mind that Bell owns most of the internet backbone in Canada, so their speeds are excellent. I remember that my 3 Mb Bell DSL connection was faster than my 10 Mb Cogeco cable connection.

[RiceMonster]

Just keep in mind that Bell owns most of the internet backbone in Canada, so their speeds are excellent. I remember that my 3 Mb Bell DSL connection was faster than my 10 Mb Cogeco cable connection.

It's true, but Bell treats their customers like crap. So you'd have to decide if you want to deal with Bell to get that or not.

[Grant A.]

You could always try Satellite Internet, but it is very expensive if you want a decent cable-like connection. DSL connection prices have dropped, though.

[lordadi]

Just keep in mind that Bell owns most of the internet backbone in Canada, so their speeds are excellent. I remember that my 3 Mb Bell DSL connection was faster than my 10 Mb Cogeco cable connection.

Wow! How can that be? That is a major difference in pipe size! Is it a latency issue?

Regarding Bell's customer service, has anyone actually had to use them to get something done? I remember that Rogers was a one time modem setup (via M$) and then it was plug and play with no issues. To that end, if their customer service isn't required for technical issues, then it is a non issue in my decision. However, billing is different entirely...


Thanks all,


Lordadi.

[hotweiss]

Wow! How can that be? That is a major difference in pipe size! Is it a latency issue?

Regarding Bell's customer service, has anyone actually had to use them to get something done? I remember that Rogers was a one time modem setup (via M$) and then it was plug and play with no issues. To that end, if their customer service isn't required for technical issues, then it is a non issue in my decision. However, billing is different entirely...


Thanks all,


Lordadi.

One other thing you have to worry about is throttling. Both Rogers and Bell throttle Bit Torrent downloads. You can get around the Bell throttling by using the Tomato firmware (if your router is supported).

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20484600-TomatoMLPPP-released-evade-throttle-or-bond-two-DSL-lines

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594003&highlight=tomato+firmware

[lordadi]

Hotweiss, thanks for the links and the suggestions but I am not able to use tomato (although i would love it) because I have a WRT54GP2 with custom Vonage firmware. :(


Regarding Velcom, if they rent lines from Bell (as seems to be the case), then presumably my line will be throttled. In such a case, will I get advertised speeds for reg dl/ul? I know that many throttle bittorrent, but regular use? Also, (completely ??? question) will my VOIP line have a degradation in quality if I drop from 7M to 5M?



Thanks for the help,



Lordadi.

[hotweiss]

Hotweiss, thanks for the links and the suggestions but I am not able to use tomato (although i would love it) because I have a WRT54GP2 with custom Vonage firmware. :(


Regarding Velcom, if they rent lines from Bell (as seems to be the case), then presumably my line will be throttled. In such a case, will I get advertised speeds for reg dl/ul? I know that many throttle bittorrent, but regular use? Also, (completely ??? question) will my VOIP line have a degradation in quality if I drop from 7M to 5M?



Thanks for the help,



Lordadi.

Your VOIP line shouldn't have any decrease in quality. And it seems that Velcom does not throttle:

http://www.velcom.ca/faq.htm

[lordadi]

Thanks guys. Now to talk to sales...