No subject

d
is

"
How much bandwidth does Skype need?
The bandwidth required by Skype depends on the type of calls you want to=20
make. The table below provides the minimum download and upload speeds=20
required, as well as the recommended speeds for best performance.
Call type
Minimum download
  / upload speed
Recommended download
  / upload speed
Calling  30kbps / 30kbps  100kbps / 100kbps
   Video calling /
  Screen sharing  128kbps / 128kbps  300kbps / 300kbps
   Video calling
  (high-quality)  400kbps / 400kbps  500kbps / 500kbps
   Video calling
  (HD)  1.2Mbps / 1.2Mbps  1.5Mbps / 1.5Mbps
   Group video
  (3 people)  512kbps / 128kbps  2Mbps / 512kbps
   Group video
  (5 people)  2Mbps / 128kbps  4Mbps / 512kbps
   Group video
  (7+ people)  4Mbps / 128kbps  8Mbps / 512kbps "

I do not know how that will display in people's different email=20
applications, in terms of its formatting.

But, it shows that, for high definition video calls, an upload data=20
transmission rate of at least 1.2Mbs, is reqired, and, preferably, at=20
least 1.5Mbps.

The "baseline" packages appear to involve an upload data transmission=20
rate of 1Mbps, which is, apparently, not enough for high definition=20
video calls.

"What is the point of getting connected to the NBN, if it does not=20
include high definition video calls?"

So, the "entry level" NBN package for providing the capacity for high=20
definition video calls, appears to be the "25Mbps/5Mbps" package, which,=20
from
http://www.bit.com.au/Guide/312738,how-much-does-it-cost-to-use-the-nbn-1=
4-providers-compared-including-iinet-telstra-internode.aspx
shows comparative pricing of

"
RESIDENTIAL PLANS PER MONTH
        25Mbps/5Mbps
    Provider   Cost   Data Limit
    Internode   $54.95   30GB
    iiNet   $54.95   40GB
    Westnet   $54.95   40GB
    Optus*   $75   120GB
    iPrimus   $59.95   40GB
    Telstra   $65   25GB
    Exetel   $54.50   50GB (unmetered offpeak)
    MyNetFone   $59.95   250GB
    Engin   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
    Club Telco   $55   50GB
     Activ8me (Satellite)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
    Harbour ISP (Satellite)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
    Skymesh (Satellite)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
     iiNet (Satellite)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
     iPrimus (Fixed Wireless)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
     Internode (Fixed Wireless)   =E2=80=94   =E2=80=94
     Skymesh (Fixed Wireless)   $39.95   20GB
     iiNet (Fixed Wireless)
"

Once again, I do not know how that will display in perople's email=20
software.

The point is, that various monthly pricing figures have been put, for=20
ongoing access to the NBN (as opposed to the installation costs, which=20
are not included here, and, probably also vary between the vendors),=20
but, to me, the current ~1.5Mbps download speed (I do not know what is=20
the estimated upload speed - Optus keeps its expected data transmission=20
speeds, secret from it customers) appears to be adequate for most=20
things, with the main restriction on download speeds, being not the=20
carrier servce, but, what is happening between the computer CPU and the=20
web server CPU, resulting in download speeds varying from about 4-5bps=20
to about 1.5Mbps (when downloads are not stalled), appears to be mostly=20
adequate.

I have managed to successfully engage in Skype video calls (but not=20
either Ekiga or Linphone) with people both interstate, in Australia,=20
and, in a country outside Australia, which worked, but, were not fluid,=20
high definition calls.

As a novice to video calls, I found them to be a worthwhile (and, to a=20
great extent, untapped) means of communication.

Unfortunately, we appear to not have, in the ADSL packages that cost=20
less than $80 per month, full duplex transmission that includes expected=20
ulpoad transmissionm rates of 1.5Mbps or higher.

I think that the only significant advantage (for me), in the purported=20
benefits of the NBN, is the potential for high definition video calls,=20
and, whilst most people have not taken up the opportunity to use the=20
World Wide Web, for making video calls, it has been used in science=20
fiction movies and television series, for decades, and, "we have the=20
technology". People seem simply too worried about their appearances=20
("will my backside look big in it?", "will it show my pimples?" "will it=20
show my grey hairs?", etc), but, with the prospect of high definition=20
video calls, people will be able to communicate, face to face, without=20
being physically present, and, with multiple people, concurrently, if=20
they are not so vain.

But, the capability for that, is not included in the NBN service=20
packages that have upload speeds of less than 1.5Mbps.

So, I think that (at this stage, as it offers the lowest upload data=20
transmission rate that can provide for high definition video calls), the=20
25/5Mbps level package, should be regarded as the minimum [package to=20
determine whether the NBN is worth having.

That is my opinion, anyway, and, no doubt, other will disagree.

--
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
..............

"So once you do know what the question actually is,
  you'll know what the answer means."
- Deep Thought,
   Chapter 28 of Book 1 of
   "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
   A Trilogy In Four Parts",
   written by Douglas Adams,
   published by Pan Books, 1992
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