Neotel FAQ

[Lino]

Hey guys since it seems we do not have a Neotel rep any more, or any standard questions and answers on it. I thought I would start one. "Mods perhaps sticky?"

"Edit Note" 26-06-2008

It seems since I started the FAQ, Neotel has started their official FAQ's. Which can be found here:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=126929
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=126930
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=126931
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=126933

As a result, this FAQ will be aimed at more being an overall summary of the information available. Note will attempt explanations in laymen terms.



Who is Neotel?

They are the official second national operator in South Africa. It should be noted they are still laying down cables and while we wait their coverage is still low.

What is their current coverage?

Download the following PDF file:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/attachme...9&d=1211450163

Where are Neotels base stations?

Unfortunately I have attempted to find out, as of yet I still do not have the information.
As soon as I do, I shall post it here.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=125459

When will we know of their latest coverage areas?

It has been rumered that Neotel will update it on their website in a couple of days/weeks.
However they have been reported to be working in Somerset West, Bellville etc.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=124372


Do they currently offer broadband?

To be quite honest no they don't. They have the following packages but they are not classified as broadband.

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Telecoms/3858.html
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Broadband/3900.html
http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Broadband/4069.html

Does Neotel currently offer a prepaid option?

As of current time, no! However some people have made suggestions.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=117272

Are their common complaints with the current offerings?

Yes there are, as with all new technology, however some to be more forgiveable than others.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthre...=neotel+device

Are all ports open?

In theory the answer is yes but Neotels current device does not allow port forwarding. (The device is not a router)

What this means for us, is that many P2p applications will fail and probably not work, as they require the use of port forwarding.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=124945

Can one use third party devices with the Neotel network?

The exact answer to this question is still unknown. However the following link will help.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=124984

Can I still play online games with Neotel?

This is a tricky one to answer, generally the answer seems to be no, as the latency appears to be a problem.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=124304

Can I use VOIP (Skype) with Neotels current offering?

In theory the answer should be yes, however there are not enough customers yet to determine if this is valid. However due to the signals currently being erratic it might be a problem.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=124510

Do they force your connection to disconnect every 24 hours like Telkom?

Many people at the moment have stated that the connection tends to drop and needs to be reconnected.


Can one have a voice call and be connected to the Internet at the same time via the usb port?

No, one can not have a voice call and surf the Internet at the same time.

If you sign up for the lite package of Neotel. Can you cancel the contract and get a cheaper deal when you go to Premium?

I have no idea but I would recommend contacting Neotel personally and asking them.

How do I find out if they have coverage for my area?

Simple just go to to the following link.

https://salesportal.neotel.co.za/web/guest/home

Where can I find updated news on Neotel?

You have a couple of options. The links are listed below.

http://www.mybroadband.co.za
http://www.neotel.co.za
http://www.neotel.co.za

"More coming soon"

[Weasley]

Thanks Linoman

If some1 can maybe add witch areas they are working on to cover? And when the eta is on them

[Lino]

Thanks Linoman

If some1 can maybe add witch areas they are working on to cover? And when the eta is on them

Glad it helped, that is a good question. Lets see what can be done

[Just_Ice]

I think someone should sticky this.
Nice job linoman

[hj2k_x]

Good idea man.

We can keep bumping it until it is stickyed

[Lino]

Hey glad you guys like it. I'll keep it up to date

[Lino]

FAQ has been updated:
Following changes

1) The formatting has been improved (Questions now in bold)
2) Added VOIP questions.
3) Added info on latest coverage areas

[chubster]

I would like to know what is the upload speed to:

Neotel-Neotel
Neotel-South Africa (national)
Neotel-international

The speed should be stated in kilobytes per second e.g. KB/s or KBps, kbps would indicate kilobits per second and should be divided by 8 to get kilo bytes.

Do you receive a public IP address?

Do they force your connection to disconnect every 24 hours like Telkom?
What are their lease times on the IPs? If you happen to receive dynamic IP.

If you sign up for the lite package of Neotel. Can you cancel the contract and get a cheaper deal when you go to Premium?

The phones appears different between Lite/Premium. Can one have a voice call and be connected to the Internet at the same time via the usb port?

[Lino]

I would like to know what is the upload speed to:

Neotel-Neotel
Neotel-South Africa (national)
Neotel-international

The speed should be stated in kilobytes per second e.g. KB/s or KBps, kbps would indicate kilobits per second and should be divided by 8 to get kilo bytes.

Do you receive a public IP address?

Do they force your connection to disconnect every 24 hours like Telkom?
What are their lease times on the IPs? If you happen to receive dynamic IP.

If you sign up for the lite package of Neotel. Can you cancel the contract and get a cheaper deal when you go to Premium?

The phones appears different between Lite/Premium. Can one have a voice call and be connected to the Internet at the same time via the usb port?

Whoa that's a lot of questions. Unfortunately I do not know all the answers but will try to answer what I do.

Do they force your connection to disconnect every 24 hours like Telkom?

Many people at the moment have stated that the connection tends to drop and needs to be reconnected.


Can one have a voice call and be connected to the Internet at the same time via the usb port?

No, one can not have a voice call and surf the Internet at the same time.

If you sign up for the lite package of Neotel. Can you cancel the contract and get a cheaper deal when you go to Premium?

I have no idea but I would recommend contacting Neotel personally and asking them.

I hope everyone else can give you more answers

[Luf]

Mate - a class A move - thanks for the info!

[chubster]

The reason behind asking questions like public IPs and upload speed is if one wants other internet users to connect directly to your little hosting machine. Be it a hosting or a game server, web mail or if you wanted to remotely connect from the internet to your own Desktop.

The upload speed becomes an important factor, not just by hosting but if one wanted to use a web cam. The more upload bandwidth you have, the better the experience will be for both parties. You can then essentially get rid of normal telephony and use web cam to communicate. Neotel provides unlimited usage on 2 of their packages.

But by limiting upload speed, they are still holding us back from realizing what is actually already possible in today's technology.

[McGuywer]

The reason behind asking questions like public IPs and upload speed is if one wants other internet users to connect directly to your little hosting machine. Be it a hosting or a game server, web mail or if you wanted to remotely connect from the internet to your own Desktop.

I don't think you are allowed to host?

[Lino]

FAQ has been updated again. "Are all ports open?" has been added.

[Lino]

FAQ update: Third party devices "link" added

[Lino]

FAQ update: Neotel base stations and prepaid options added.