Hi All!
I need some help choosing an ISP and broadband package. It's for a family member living in Modjadjiskloof (north east of Polokwane, north of Tzaneen).
Main considerations are: Support, Cost, Flexibility and Reliability
Support: Having seen a family member encounter finger pointing between Telkom and MWeb that led to a 3 week
broadband outage for his business, I am enclined to opt for an all-Telkom option, but of course I need to factor cost into this equation. A one-man band that isn't available for support on weekends isn't really an option.
Cost: The family member doesn't currently have a land line phone, so this needs to be factored into the installation and monthly package costs. I'm also looking for good value broadband. Another family member using MWeb complains that he could get broadband much cheaper elsewhere, but doesn't want to lose his mweb email address (unfortunately used for business purposes).
Flexibility: The family member is a technophobe. This, combined with the cost considerations leads towards recommending a package with less bundled data. However, it is then imperative than additional data can be purchased easily and without paying a ridiculous price.
Reliability: It goes without saying that the service should be reliable and works as advertised.
For the life of me, I can't find a single page on the Telkom web site that shows: phone line installation cost + phone line rental + phone package cost + broadband installation cost + broadband hardware cost + broadband line rental + data package cost = total cost. It's not clear if there are specials available for new phone customers getting broadband at the same time.
Furthermore, without knowing much about the other players in the market, even if Telkom provided this information, I'd have no idea if the Telkom option is cost effective.
I should mention that it doesn't have to be ADSL. I've checked the MTN broadband web site and it shows that Modjadjiskloof can't get 3G, but does receives EDGE - but it doesn't say how fast/slow this is. I'm also worried about how difficult this might be to top up based on information provided by a family member. It all needs to be rather idiot proof. I'm guessing that this is a much more expensive option as well.
Given that many of you will have been through all of this before, I'd be very grateful for your advice.
Many thanks,
Lunk
I need some help choosing an ISP and broadband package. It's for a family member living in Modjadjiskloof (north east of Polokwane, north of Tzaneen).
Main considerations are: Support, Cost, Flexibility and Reliability
Support: Having seen a family member encounter finger pointing between Telkom and MWeb that led to a 3 week
broadband outage for his business, I am enclined to opt for an all-Telkom option, but of course I need to factor cost into this equation. A one-man band that isn't available for support on weekends isn't really an option. Cost: The family member doesn't currently have a land line phone, so this needs to be factored into the installation and monthly package costs. I'm also looking for good value broadband. Another family member using MWeb complains that he could get broadband much cheaper elsewhere, but doesn't want to lose his mweb email address (unfortunately used for business purposes).
Flexibility: The family member is a technophobe. This, combined with the cost considerations leads towards recommending a package with less bundled data. However, it is then imperative than additional data can be purchased easily and without paying a ridiculous price.
Reliability: It goes without saying that the service should be reliable and works as advertised.
For the life of me, I can't find a single page on the Telkom web site that shows: phone line installation cost + phone line rental + phone package cost + broadband installation cost + broadband hardware cost + broadband line rental + data package cost = total cost. It's not clear if there are specials available for new phone customers getting broadband at the same time.
Furthermore, without knowing much about the other players in the market, even if Telkom provided this information, I'd have no idea if the Telkom option is cost effective.
I should mention that it doesn't have to be ADSL. I've checked the MTN broadband web site and it shows that Modjadjiskloof can't get 3G, but does receives EDGE - but it doesn't say how fast/slow this is. I'm also worried about how difficult this might be to top up based on information provided by a family member. It all needs to be rather idiot proof. I'm guessing that this is a much more expensive option as well.
Given that many of you will have been through all of this before, I'd be very grateful for your advice.
Many thanks,
Lunk