Rural farm near Danielskuil - existing WISP mast, looking to get internet again

[EMI COMMS]

Here’s a cleaned-up version you can post in a Facebook group, forum, or send to an installer/provider:


Hi all,


I’m currently at Middelpos Guest Farm in the Northern Cape, located around 28°14’15.1”S 23°51’36.9”E (between Danielskuil and Koopmansfontein).


We’re on a very remote farm with almost no cellular reception — there is only one small spot on the property where we can get a weak Vodacom 3G signal.


We’re looking to set up internet for a group of around 10–25 people at a time, with a budget of roughly R2,000/month.


A few questions:

• What internet providers are available in this area that could offer reasonably fast and stable internet?
• Would a directional antenna setup work in a situation like this?
• Where should we start with testing or setup?

There is already an existing tower mast on the farm with what looks like an old internet dish mounted on it. We were told it was used for internet around 15 years ago but has been inactive since. The mast itself still appears solid.


Would it potentially be possible to reuse the mast and equipment for a modern setup?


Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations.

 

[WAslayer]

ChatGPT says:

The most promising providers I could find are:
True Wireless — based in Postmasburg and likely one of the better bets for Daniëlskuil/Postmasburg-region wireless coverage. They offer fixed wireless internet and are geographically closest to Daniëlskuil. �
bizwiz.co.za
Kurlec Wireless & Fibre — operates from Kuruman and covers parts of the greater Kalahari/Northern Cape region. Worth checking for tower reach toward Daniëlskuil. �
bizwiz.co.za
Kalahari 24/7 — Kathu-based ISP that may have regional wireless links into surrounding mining and rural areas.
Calnet Fibre — Calvinia-based provider that serves parts of the Hantam and rural Northern Cape region. Could be relevant if by “Middelpos” you mean the Middelpos near Calvinia.
HantamNet — another Calvinia-area wireless ISP serving the Hantam district.
Gigalight Fibre — listed in Middelpos (Upington-side Middelpos). They appear to provide ISP services in that area.

 

[portcullis]

Kurlec or HeroTel are the most probable choices.

 

[portcullis]

The dish should still be good. You will, however, need an electronics refresh. ie. Replace the Rocket M5 radio with something more up to date.

 

[Naaimasjien]

Check for internet coverage | Wireless Access Provider's Association

wapa.org.za

 

[EMI COMMS]

Just to close off this thread, thank you all for your input and suggestions.


I have now been in contact with the following providers, and here are the results. Hopefully this helps anyone else looking for internet options in a remote area:


Not currently possible

• Starlink – currently not available in South Africa (2026) due to regulatory restrictions.

No coverage

• Wirulink
• Kalahari
• Kurlec
• Compufin (Postmasburg area)

Potential options

• Axxess – connected to the Vodacom network, which does work on our farm, but speeds are very slow.
• Herotel – very helpful so far and willing to come out and do on-site tests before making a final decision. The process is a bit lengthy, though.
• Horizon Satellite – definitely available. This may be the option we go with if Herotel doesn’t work out. Pricing seems reasonable at around R1,400/month for 20 Mbps, with upgrade options up to 80 Mbps if higher speeds are needed.

No response received

• MoreClicks
• WAPA

I did receive a call and email from Arch Abiah (possibly through my WAPA contact form submission). They say they have 5G coverage in the area, which I am a bit skeptical about, but I am currently investigating further.


We also received a quote of around R75,000 for a Vodacom signal booster system (LTE and mobile signal). However, even with improved signal strength, the internet speeds would likely still remain fairly slow.


Hope this helps someone else in a similar situation. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

 

[Jan van Riebeeckstad]

Do MyBB guests get a discount?

 

[JerryMungo]

Just to close off this thread, thank you all for your input and suggestions.


I have now been in contact with the following providers, and here are the results. Hopefully this helps anyone else looking for internet options in a remote area:


Not currently possible

• Starlink – currently not available in South Africa (2026) due to regulatory restrictions.

No coverage

• Wirulink
• Kalahari
• Kurlec
• Compufin (Postmasburg area)

Potential options

• Axxess – connected to the Vodacom network, which does work on our farm, but speeds are very slow.
• Herotel – very helpful so far and willing to come out and do on-site tests before making a final decision. The process is a bit lengthy, though.
• Horizon Satellite – definitely available. This may be the option we go with if Herotel doesn’t work out. Pricing seems reasonable at around R1,400/month for 20 Mbps, with upgrade options up to 80 Mbps if higher speeds are needed.

No response received

• MoreClicks
• WAPA

I did receive a call and email from Arch Abiah (possibly through my WAPA contact form submission). They say they have 5G coverage in the area, which I am a bit skeptical about, but I am currently investigating further.


We also received a quote of around R75,000 for a Vodacom signal booster system (LTE and mobile signal). However, even with improved signal strength, the internet speeds would likely still remain fairly slow.


Hope this helps someone else in a similar situation. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

Morclick is cheap for 20mbps but that level of consumer satellite is only useful for a backup connection, especially if you rely on voice comms. Herotel will likely be your best bet with speeds of around 10Mbps - 20Mbps max in some areas, but with lower latency than satellite so fine for voice and video comms.

 

[Speedster]

There are starlink options...

 

[Sopbeen]

There are starlink options...

No there isn't. ZA is geofenced. You get added to the naughty list pretty quickly, then your dish is a fancy pizza plate. Unless you're happy with 24 hours connectivity per week (thats how long the 'return to originating country' block takes to clear)

Source: Owner of a fancy pizza plate.

 

[JerryMungo]

There are starlink options...

Nope. Not in SA unless you live on a yacht off shore.