Backup broadband/ISP

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skynarc

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Hi,

I run my own web agency and I need for my broadband to be running smoothly non stop and I have been to to satin and back with my broadband providers and it seems there just isn't any one solution to ensure a consistent internet experience.

The problem:
  • Afrihost: Moved to MTN network - major major problems
  • WebAfrica: Moved to WebAfrica - worse experience than Afrihost.

I have since decided to split my bill across these two ISP's because they do still offer "good value for money" and a somewhat consistent experience.

But from time to time my sites load super slowly, Gmail, Google Analytics, Google Drive, Calendar and every other Google product which I depend on heavily, comes to a grinding hault. This is not just Google but these are sites I use the most.

What I am after now is an affordable solution so that I have ADSL as well as a Wireless solution without breaking the bank to pay cellphone companies.

Couple of things:
  • We work in Strand
  • We have a 10 Meg line
  • Last I checked, Neotel's coverage was not great here.
  • Is there configuration of hardware that will monitor and switch between providers to ensure that we are always online?
  • Is there software out there that will monitor the network and flag problems?

Any suggestions at this stage is welcome please.

Many thanks.
 
Well ll you have a couple options. You get a second adsl line put in and get a load balancing router. Then load each ISP on their own line.

Secondly you could enquire about Neofibre. While it may be a touch expensive it won't be too bad considering you're now paying for adsl and wireless.

But actually before even all that. Are you using Web Africa's and Afrihost's business accounts or their home accounts? Home accounts aren't really meant for day time use.
 
You definitely need a business account from those providers if you don't already have. I am with OpenWeb and am the happiest I've been - tried four other ISP's for data. An OpenWeb Silver or Gold Account should do very well for you. You may be able to get a test account if you email OpenWeb. (Note: I'm in Durban and different ISP's seem to work differently in different parts of the country.)
Chevron has a good point with a load balancing router too and I wouldn't recommend a wireless solution if you can help it - rather spend the extra money on a good data ADSL account. Fibre is the ultimate solution but is expensive.
 
skynarc said:
Hi,

I run my own web agency and I need for my broadband to be running smoothly non stop and I have been to to satin and back with my broadband providers and it seems there just isn't any one solution to ensure a consistent internet experience.

The problem:
  • Afrihost: Moved to MTN network - major major problems
  • WebAfrica: Moved to WebAfrica - worse experience than Afrihost.

I have since decided to split my bill across these two ISP's because they do still offer "good value for money" and a somewhat consistent experience.

But from time to time my sites load super slowly, Gmail, Google Analytics, Google Drive, Calendar and every other Google product which I depend on heavily, comes to a grinding hault. This is not just Google but these are sites I use the most.

What I am after now is an affordable solution so that I have ADSL as well as a Wireless solution without breaking the bank to pay cellphone companies.

Couple of things:
  • We work in Strand
  • We have a 10 Meg line
  • Last I checked, Neotel's coverage was not great here.
  • Is there configuration of hardware that will monitor and switch between providers to ensure that we are always online?
  • Is there software out there that will monitor the network and flag problems?

Any suggestions at this stage is welcome please.

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Skynarc,

What type of account to you have with us? Also DM me your customer code so I can see if our ADSL team have investigated the poor performance on the account.
 
skynarc said:
Hi,

I run my own web agency and I need for my broadband to be running smoothly non stop and I have been to to satin and back with my broadband providers and it seems there just isn't any one solution to ensure a consistent internet experience.

The problem:
  • Afrihost: Moved to MTN network - major major problems
  • WebAfrica: Moved to WebAfrica - worse experience than Afrihost.

I have since decided to split my bill across these two ISP's because they do still offer "good value for money" and a somewhat consistent experience.

But from time to time my sites load super slowly, Gmail, Google Analytics, Google Drive, Calendar and every other Google product which I depend on heavily, comes to a grinding hault. This is not just Google but these are sites I use the most.

What I am after now is an affordable solution so that I have ADSL as well as a Wireless solution without breaking the bank to pay cellphone companies.

Couple of things:
  • We work in Strand
  • We have a 10 Meg line
  • Last I checked, Neotel's coverage was not great here.
  • Is there configuration of hardware that will monitor and switch between providers to ensure that we are always online?
  • Is there software out there that will monitor the network and flag problems?

Any suggestions at this stage is welcome please.

Many thanks.
Click to expand...

I also rely heavily on Google's services as I work for myself and use them constantly throughout the day, am on Afrihost uncapped home account for the past 2 months and it's all been great. I also had issues with Web Africa and google's services coming to a halt, quite often, this was before I went over to Afrihost. Was passed to one of WA's senior techies but nothing ever got solved as it was an erratic issue that they had trouble re-creating; ended up just dumping them for AH - well, that and their idiotic star rating system.
 
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