ISDN works down a single pair. 2x64kbps fully digital channels are provided. A second phone number is also provided which uses one of the channels. It is therefore possible to have internet access at approx 6.4 KBytes/sec and still make and receive phone calls via the second channel.

If 128 Kbps internet download speeds are desired, both channels can be used for internet access but with the temporary loss of the second phone line. In practice, I found that it made no difference to the download speeds I was able to achieve via Big Pond if I selected 128 Kbps. I was once able to achieve 100Kbps on a streaming internet TV site.The rest of the time downloads averaged around 6 Kbytes/sec

I say via Big Pond because at the time it was the only platform that supPorted home ISDN. Punitive per-hour data charges were applied if the customer had the temerity to use an ISP other than Big Pond! In practice Big Pond was the only home-based ISDN compatible ISP in town (that I am aware of - believe me I tried to find alternatives to BP without success). I consider the non-BP data charges to be a restrictive trade practice. I was looking forward to taking Telstra on but couldn't find another local-call-access ISP which supports dial-up ISDN.

As it was I should have been charged 30cents/hr/channel data download charges. These charges were never actually applied. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I complained to Telstra Country-Wide about the lack of anything approaching 128Kbps (12.8KBytes/sec) from the BP ISDN server. I also made the point that the only reason I had gone for ISDN was that my local exchange had not been conditioned for ADSL and that, as ADSL users were not charged per-hour data download charges, such charges for Home ISDN customers were discriminatory.

Now for the reason I'm telling you all this: ISDN, being digital, can improve line-speeds in the bush. No, definitely not to broadband speeds, but 6 KB/s is a threefold improvement over the 2 KB/s or lower line speeds ancountered by many country users. Telstra does not publicise the fact that ISDN can be made to work on lines 11+ km from the exchange by the addition of an ISDN specific booster to the line.

For country customers for whom the installation and/or running costs for 2-Way satellite internet access are too high, Home ISDN should at least be considered. Due to the parlous state of some country land-lines even boosted ISDN may not work, but, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

One thing that did impress me when I was an ISDN customer was the much higher level of responsive service I received when I needed it. I think a business-oriented culture within the Telstra ISDN group was responsible for this. Also, Tesltra Country Wide does in fact provide more responsive service than that provided to non-country customers. The Telstra CountryWide access number is 1800-OUR-TCW. Country customers who ring this number are automatically directed to the applicable regional TCW centre. Once they have spoken to a Telstra rep they can continue to access the same rep via the same number. I know this is hard to believe, but I can verify that this is the way it has worked for me.

If sufficient pressure is put on Testra to at least provide boosted ISDN to as many long-suffering country customers as possible, they will receive a tangible benefit. Certainly they should only connect ISDN if no data download charges are attached to their service. Hopefully these charges have by now been waived (I have not had ISDN for two years). If the charges still apply, new customers should individually negotiate with TCW to have them waived. If Telstra doesn't come to the party, they should complain to their local federal member.

Bleeding Edge has done some checking with Telstra on charges. Basically the PSTN connection has to be changed to ISDN. They send out a linesman to do this, and that will cost $190.30. In addition, the monthly line rental fee will increase from $29.95 to $45.50. (normally $29.95). Local calls will then cost 17.5c, and STD charges are capped at $1.50 in the evening. Internet and data calls cost 30c per hour. The Telstra customer support person we spoke to insisted though that the ISDN service could be used to call another ISP's 0198 number for a local call fee, so that the subscriber isn't forced (heaven forbid!) to use Big Pond. The Whirlpool forum might be essential reading on the topic.

We'd be interested in the experience of other ISDN users in the country.

Bleeding Edge also talked to the National Farmers Federation, and they pointed out that country users can take advantage of the Internet Assistance Program, which guarantees a 19.2kbps service.

Even more interesting, in our Forum, there's a post on the possibility of using Wi-Fi. The 9.5km shouldn't be a problem.