Web Africa joins the one-price ADSL club

It sounds great, and the price is good (as good as it can be with Telkom around, anyway). But I'd like some clarification on what happens if you decide to change to prepaid to get the advantage of rollover (in the case of WA), or if you move ISP - does your line transfer, or does it get cancelled and you have to apply again?
 
Cathryn said:
It sounds great, and the price is good (as good as it can be with Telkom around, anyway). But I'd like some clarification on what happens if you decide to change to prepaid to get the advantage of rollover (in the case of WA), or if you move ISP - does your line transfer, or does it get cancelled and you have to apply again?
Click to expand...

Some clear, good questions from someone that actually thinks about things for a change ;)

Let's hope you get some answers.
 
would be nice if they sold it with an IS local only account...
 
Does anyone else think the "one-price" thingies are just there to lock you into a specific service provider?
 
The one price thingy is to make us forget about the fact that the ADSL access portion is a complete rip-off. Telkom will now say it not them to blame for the high cost of ADSL in SA,, its the ISPs.

As for WebAfrica's all-in account, it is just a fraction better priced than Telkom's doBroadband packages. But Telkom allows users to consume up to twice the bandwidth allowance.

For that reason, these accounts are just not competitive. Is the benefit of not dealing the beast sufficient compensation?

Serious Question though: When an ISP such as WebAfrica sells a fixed GB SAIX account, and the user underutilizes it, who benefits? The ISP or Telkom? Does Telkom only charge the ISP for the bandwidth used? Or is it the full cap that is charged for? And who implements the hard cap, the ISP or Telkom?
 
Gatecrasher said:
The one price thingy is to make us forget about the fact that the ADSL access portion is a complete rip-off. Telkom will now say it not them to blame for the high cost of ADSL in SA,, its the ISPs.

As for WebAfrica's all-in account, it is just a fraction better priced than Telkom's doBroadband packages. But Telkom allows users to consume up to twice the bandwidth allowance.

For that reason, these accounts are just not competitive. Is the benefit of not dealing the beast sufficient compensation?

Serious Question though: When an ISP such as WebAfrica sells a fixed GB SAIX account, and the user underutilizes it, who benefits? The ISP or Telkom? Does Telkom only charge the ISP for the bandwidth used? Or is it the full cap that is charged for? And who implements the hard cap, the ISP or Telkom?
Click to expand...
1GB accounts are hardcapped at 1GB, unlike the 2 and 3GB packages. :(
 
The problem with these stupid 'one-price' things is you have to give Telkom a month's notice to cancel your DSL line, and then re-apply via WebAfrica (or whoever) and wait 4-6 weeks to get connected again (this from the WA support guy)
 
So are you still allowed to buy additional accounts to use on the line, like with any other line? From the same ISP though, like if I wanted a 10Gig local account from WebAfrica?
 
The one price thing is just not an option considering you have to move everything to another SP... it wouldn't be a problem if that didn't mean you would have to be without internet for a period of time.
 
Here is my first hand experience with the WA offerings... I emailed them to request more info:

Me to WA
I am interested in the all in one package. What would 4Gigs of SAIX
unshaped cost on this package?

How do I change from Telkom?

How long will I be without internet if I decide to opt for the all in
one?

If I decide to change ISPs, can I continue to get the line rental
portion from WA?

Thanks in advance!

WA to me:
Hi,

We do not have a 4Gb package, but we do have a 3Gb package for R499 that you can add a single gb on for R70.

To change you just sign up on our website :)

Yes you can change everything over to us but if you already have a line with Telkom you are going to have wait between 2-6 weeks for activation.

Should you have any other queries or need any further assistance please let us know.

Me to WA:
Hi, can you confirm if that is a 3Gig unshaped account you are referring
to? I specifically need unshaped. Also, I want a 4mb line. Also,
could you answer my last query on that email?

"If I decide to change ISPs, can I continue to get the line rental
portion from WA?"

WA to ME
Hi,

I am sorry but we do not currently have any complete unshaped packages :( but up to 4mb is possible.

Yes the line rental portion would be controlled by us.

Please let us know should you have any further queries.

---
I am wondering if that last question was too tech or just politically incorrect, or if in fact you could continue to use WA for the line rental... I am about to ask again Dunno why they haven't bothered with unshaped either.
 
Update!!!

Just got this from WebAfrica:

I am terribly sorry for the poor response to this ticket , let me re answer your questions for you..

>> What would 4Gigs of SAIX unshaped cost on this package?
We currently do not have an unshaped offering , but what we can do is strip down the package , and give you the upto 4mb line at the same price as telkom and then you can purchase the 4 gig unshaped account separate to it, however this will still benefit by allowing you to pay 1 point of contact for your entire internet access account.
I already do that with Telkom... and the analog portion is there too...

>>How long will I be without internet if I decide to opt for the all in one?
This is a bit of a tricky one , Telkom does not allow us to do side by side moves , they require you to cancell with them first and then re apply with us , which can take up to 6 weeks installation.
:( OK for newcomers to ADSL then.

>>If I decide to change ISPs, can I continue to get the line rental portion from WA?
What we are looking at doing in the next couple of days is allowing clients to purchase just the line without a bundle from Web Africa , allowing you to use any ISP of your choice.

That bit is interesting... wonder what it will cost... will keep you informed.
 
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