Best ADSL option for a widow with kids overseas?

[Garyvdh]

She has Telkom landline... and the computer. She will use it for Skype, e-mails, online banking and opening the odd funny video by e-mail. I live pretty close by so tech support is near at hand.

Best comprehensive package?

[RedhotNeo]

Telkom dobroadband level 2

Pretty easy to setup and u can provide support if anything happens

Also with blended usage, u tend to do between 3 - 4 gigs on this option...

One question... how much of bandwith is used in a 1 hour long skype call.

[Garyvdh]

According to Skype's site:


How much bandwidth does Skype use while I’m in a call?
On average, Skype uses between 3-16 kilobytes/sec depending on bandwidth available for other party, network conditions in between, callers CPU performance, etc.
How much bandwidth does Skype use when there are no active calls?
On average Skype uses 0-0.5 kilobytes/sec while idle. This is used mainly for buddy presence updates. The exact bandwidth depends on many factors.

[Garyvdh]

Telkom dobroadband level 2

Pretty easy to setup and u can provide support if anything happens

Also with blended usage, u tend to do between 3 - 4 gigs on this option...

One question... how much of bandwith is used in a 1 hour long skype call.

thanks... I have suggested that to her now by e-mail.

[Yotch]

The cheapest ADSL service is the Nashua Mobile 384Kbps with free WiFi router (Billion 7300G) for R139 per month. The bandwidth (Verizon) is also apparently unshaped. The only drawback is that the Billion router is locked and that additional bandwidth costs R95 per gigabyte. This option might work out cheaper than the Telkom Do Level 2.
http://www.nashuamobile.com/nm_portal.asp?link=broadband_landing&siteid=ver5&sid=personal
You could also look at one of the Cybersmart offers (www.cybersmart.co.za) which start at ~R169 for 1GB.

[Garyvdh]

The cheapest ADSL service is the Nashua Mobile 384Kbps with free WiFi router (Billion 7300G) for R139 per month. The bandwidth (Verizon) is also apparently unshaped. The only drawback is that the Billion router is locked and that additional bandwidth costs R95 per gigabyte. This option might work out cheaper than the Telkom Do Level 2.
http://www.nashuamobile.com/nm_portal.asp?link=broadband_landing&siteid=ver5&sid=personal
You could also look at one of the Cybersmart offers (www.cybersmart.co.za) which start at ~R169 for 1GB.

Thanks, I do already have a modem/router for her. Is it possible to get that without a contract?

[Deenem]

Ummm, sorry to be silly, but did you really think it was relevant to include the fact that she's a widow?

I've seem many ADSL products but, so far, I've never seen any one specifically tailored for widows. :D

[Shake&Bake]

Ummm, sorry to be silly, but did you really think it was relevant to include the fact that she's a widow?

I've seem many ADSL products but, so far, I've never seen any one specifically tailored for widows. :D

The Widowmaker? Widow's Companion? :p :D

[Yotch]

You would have to discuss that with Nashua Mobile. Alternatively you might be able to swap the router for additional bandwidth etc.

You could also look at the MWeb offer - 384Kbps 1GB with a free bundled locked Voip router for R199 per month. The advert on TV says no contract but I would guess that the free router is tied to a 12 month contract.
http://www.mweb.co.za/productsservices/InternetAccess/InternetAccessADSLPricing/tabid/142/Default.aspx

Telkom W-CDMA might be another option if this is available in your area. R149 for 500MB and 30c per Meg out of bundle rate. This should be much faster than 384Kbps ADSL and prices should start to fall. This is a month to month service.
http://www.telkom.co.za/products_services/w-cdma/cost.html

There is also the Neotel Lite 99 option if available in your area. The phone costs R599. Monthly service costs R99 but you receive R25 credit back each month to spend on services such as bandwidth etc. The data costs an additional R80 per GB. She could convert her current Telkom phone to prepaid (Waya-waya) which only costs R10 per month and use the Neotel phone for voice calls and internet access etc.
http://www.neotel.co.za/neotel/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=1892

[Garyvdh]

Ummm, sorry to be silly, but did you really think it was relevant to include the fact that she's a widow?

I've seem many ADSL products but, so far, I've never seen any one specifically tailored for widows. :D

yes, I did think it was relevant.

[RedhotNeo]

The cheapest ADSL service is the Nashua Mobile 384Kbps with free WiFi router (Billion 7300G) for R139 per month. The bandwidth (Verizon) is also apparently unshaped. The only drawback is that the Billion router is locked and that additional bandwidth costs R95 per gigabyte. This option might work out cheaper than the Telkom Do Level 2.
http://www.nashuamobile.com/nm_portal.asp?link=broadband_landing&siteid=ver5&sid=personal
You could also look at one of the Cybersmart offers (www.cybersmart.co.za) which start at ~R169 for 1GB.

Actually that would work out cheaper but the router is locked. Telkom total service cost for do level 2 is R258 and the router is unlocked

on the plus side of telkom is the blended usage

[LancelotSA]

Actually that would work out cheaper but the router is locked. Telkom total service cost for do level 2 is R258 and the router is unlocked

on the plus side of telkom is the blended usage

Yeah but do you really think she is going to use 3-4Gbs per month! My mom uses it for the same type of things and she battles to get through 1Gb in a month.

I have seen this type of query before and every time there are numerous shouts for DoBroadband2 as it has about 3-4Gbs international and then 20Gb local.... do you guys really think this lady will be needing 20Gb local?

1Gb will be plenty to start with. These people are not like us internet addicts! :)

[slayerza]

Yeah but do you really think she is going to use 3-4Gbs per month! My mom uses it for the same type of things and she battles to get through 1Gb in a month.

I have seen this type of query before and every time there are numerous shouts for DoBroadband2 as it has about 3-4Gbs international and then 20Gb local.... do you guys really think this lady will be needing 20Gb local?

1Gb will be plenty to start with. These people are not like us internet addicts! :)

Very true, my mom uses the connection for the same types of things and 1GB seems to be more than enough.

[jdjoubert]

Am I missing something here......

I honestly thought Cybersmart was the cheapest.

The package I am referring to is the 1 Gig 384k @ R169.

That includes the ADSL line rental
You also dont need to sighn a 24 month contract like with telkom.

[UtterNutter]

Ummm, sorry to be silly, but did you really think it was relevant to include the fact that she's a widow?

I've seem many ADSL products but, so far, I've never seen any one specifically tailored for widows. :D

Telkom's doBroadband 2 works on any OS, including but not limited to Widows XP and Widows Vista. :D [sic]

[mustangsa]

have a look at APD 1GB for R99 per month no Contract