Broadband 24/7 options in South Africa.

[CodeMaster]

Hi guys,

I am looking at setting up a small peer-to-peer network for our company (5 PC's), with my PC being the gateway computer to the internet. Which options do I have for a 24/7 internet connection with a fair amount of bandwidth? We are currently all on CRAPPY 56k dial-ups, and are looking for something that is always-on, with a bit of a bandwidth boost.

We are in a small industrial area that is almost in the middle of no-where, and I have been told by TelCON that ADSL is NEVER going to be an option due to the fact that the it is not cost effective to upgrade the exchange we are on, which judging by some of the remarks on this forum, is no major loss.
I have been keeping a keen eye on all the posts about <i>MyWireless</i>, but am skeptical as to whether it is going to be available this far south of JHB (near Heidelberg).
Another option is the Sentech <i>VSTAR</i>, but that is probably a little more than the company would be prepared to spend for monthly bandwidth.

I would welcome any suggestions/solutions, and would appreciate costs, suppliers, and any additional info you can supply, ie: links to websites, etc.

TIA
Mike
[:D]

[mithrandi]

If ADSL is unavailable, your only options are a leased line, and VSTAR. MyWireless, when launched, would be nice, but as you say, availability may be an issue. Even if it does become available in your area, it is possible that this will take quite some time. Otherwise, VSTAR is probably the best option you have at the moment.

mithrandi

[Nickste]

Hmmm... I read about a guy in America who had a problem like this, so he brought a big pair of bi-nocks and looked for a house that was in an ADSL area.

Once he had found the house, he went and asked the guy if he wanted free broadband, and naturally the guy said yes. So he got ADSL installed at the guys house, and setup a little line of sight satellite connection between the guys house and his house.

This was in America, and I'm not sure about the legality of it here in SA, but it could work, if you have Line of sight with an ADSL area.

Chow, Nick

Nick Smit
adsl@nicksmit.za.net

[ASF]

What you are suggesting is illegal.

The tellecommunications act states that only Telkom (and a few select others such as Eskom via special dispensation) may carry signals (which by the definition of the law is ANY medium used to communicate) across boundries such as roads, fences between plots of land etc.

So this means if I stand on one side of a road and send morse using a flashlight to someone on the other side of the road I am breaking the law... Go figure...

[CodeMaster]

Leased line (Diginet) and VSTAR are both a little
on the expensive side.

Is there no cheaper options?

Thanks
Mike

[mithrandi]

None that I am aware of, unfortunately.

[Solar]

Actually, sending morse with your flashlight is legal... Your code-sending may just not exceed 300 bps (I think this is the rate set by the Telecoms Act of 1996). I think setting up a wireless connection with an house with ADSL is also your best bet... illegal or not, if telkom won't supply the service, they can explain the situation to the judge.

[mithrandi]

You mean I can setup my 250bps wireless network now? COOL! [:D][:D][:D]

[CodeMaster]

Unfortunately, the only houses I can see from our factory, is squatter camps, and I am sure none of them have ADSL. [;)]

So that would rule out a wireless network to a house with ADSL. But thanks for all the comments.

I eagerly await the results of the MyWireless testing, and to see how wide spread it is gonna be, otherwise VSTAR does indeed seem to be my best bet.

Thanks,
Mike

[freeek]

yo, u get long range wireless technoloy. i used it at my house and boy is it fast. all i had 2 do is point it towards uct! UCT is abt 15-20 k's from my house. If you think some1 15km away can get it email me, i can get you the hardware, hmmm im ct tho

..- dot dot dash ;)

[KIA]

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to this but I do share my pet hate with all of you - namely Telskum. I have heard of a broadband service which runs through the electricity cabling and wiring which is in your home. I believe it is very affordable. Would be really sweet if it came to S.A. Telskum would NOT be able to compete with it. It also makes one heck of a lot of sense. Why not just pay a set amount together with your electricity bill to your ISP every month. Any ideas on this ????

Cheers
[:D]

[freeek]

You Never Know About This Electricity Thing. Think About This In The SNO( Second National Operator) is eskom! The power suppliers! It would be a wise decision for them to do this as all their infrastructure is already laid down!

We have wait and see

..- dot dot dash ;)

[kidstyx]

You could maybe move to either Korea or Japan and pay R150 p/m flat for a 20mbit VDSL connection... [:p]

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