Affordable Internet choice - HELP?

[MacBoney]

Hi Guys

I just need some sound advice on the different types of internet services? (3G, HSDPA etc.) – please excuse my limited knowledge on this topic.
I just replaced our home pc with which we were using dial up through Telkom (ancient I know) with a brand new laptop and I want some advice on the most affordable and efficient internet service provider. We don’t need that much bandwidth per month, so I was thinking of going for MyMeg 500 with Vodacom since I was told by a consultant that Telkom currently have a huge backlog and they currently don’t have modems…….is this a good choice for me or is there perhaps a cheaper option? And am I able to control my spending on this option?

Thanks in advance for your help guys

 

[morkhans]

If you are happy with contract then the best bet is top-up and then convert the air time to a bundle each month. If you would prefer to be without the bindings of a contract you can buy a 3G modem and then load pre-paid airtime and convert that to a bundle. What is also nice at the moment is that a bundle lasts up to 60 days, so if you bought a 1GB bundle on the 1st of the month you could spread it over two months. Both top-up and pre-paid give you very good control over your usage so no surprise bills!

Make very sure that you have 3G coverage in your area. Check the coverage map and if possible borrow a 3G modem from a friend in do some tests. If you plan on getting more devices at your home then you can consider looking at the B970 router which has wifi built into it so you can share your connection with other devices in your home.

 

[vodacom3g]

Hi Guys

I just need some sound advice on the different types of internet services? (3G, HSDPA etc.) – please excuse my limited knowledge on this topic.
I just replaced our home pc with which we were using dial up through Telkom (ancient I know) with a brand new laptop and I want some advice on the most affordable and efficient internet service provider. We don’t need that much bandwidth per month, so I was thinking of going for MyMeg 500 with Vodacom since I was told by a consultant that Telkom currently have a huge backlog and they currently don’t have modems…….is this a good choice for me or is there perhaps a cheaper option? And am I able to control my spending on this option?

Thanks in advance for your help guys

Before you even start shopping for price, check coverage at your location.

Don't be shocked when I say you should also look at offerings like iBurst which is extremely well priced. But first check coverage / performance.

Post your location in the MTN/Vodacom/Neotel/iBurst forums and ask for feedback from someone close to you.

 

[TowerGuru]

There is no such thing as affordable internet in south africa at the present time. There are some reasonably good offers though. My advice is to use pre paid for one or two months to check your actual data usage. That Way you can figure out what kinda contract you'd need. 500mb really does not go far. . . Ive just blown 500mb in 7days - and thats normal browsing for me no downloading of mp3s and such. Luckily i always have an uncapped broadband connection at UKZN at my disposal. Really going to miss it when i graduate end of the year.

 

[MacBoney]

Thanks for the feedback guys, i stay in Kloof in durban....can any1 tell me how the coverage is in that area for iburst ? What prepaid internet service do you recommend Techie ?

 

[Smurfatefrog]

Thanks for the feedback guys, i stay in Kloof in durban....can any1 tell me how the coverage is in that area for iburst ? What prepaid internet service do you recommend Techie ?

I found VC 3G coverage in central Kloof pretty good, dont think iBurst coverage is too great though but as mentioned by V3G its best to ask for feedback from any other Kloof users in the Iburst forum

 

[TowerGuru]

Cant say ive been up to kloof often. What phone do you have? If its 3G 3.6 enabled you can get a pretty good gauge of the 3G signal by pairing it with your laptop or pc and using thesoftware from the phone or third party software it will usually tell you the signal strength it will pretty much simulate what you'd get with a data card. You can also check the coverage map on V4me website tho i think it counts for s h one t. And yea i'd use vodacom i personally have not used another network for data at all so i cant say. So in summary find a 3G 3.6 enabled phone and test it out. Buy a prepaid sim for two bucks from picknpay load a data bundle from internet banking or star triple one hash with airtime. This is how i would test the coverage and signal strength before going and committing myself to a contract. Hope it helps.

 

[morkhans]

Vodacom coverage map: http://www.vodamap.net/3g/

 

[MacBoney]

Cant say ive been up to kloof often. What phone do you have? If its 3G 3.6 enabled you can get a pretty good gauge of the 3G signal by pairing it with your laptop or pc and using thesoftware from the phone or third party software it will usually tell you the signal strength it will pretty much simulate what you'd get with a data card. You can also check the coverage map on V4me website tho i think it counts for s h one t. And yea i'd use vodacom i personally have not used another network for data at all so i cant say. So in summary find a 3G 3.6 enabled phone and test it out. Buy a prepaid sim for two bucks from picknpay load a data bundle from internet banking or star triple one hash with airtime. This is how i would test the coverage and signal strength before going and committing myself to a contract. Hope it helps.

thanks again guys

Techie i have a 5800 and a BB Curve so i'll buy a prepaid SIM and give it a shot.....thanks