Best way to get Telkom LTE

M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
Hi Guys

I am looking at getting Telkom LTE at my house. What is the way/deal to go about getting it. I really don't want to sign up for a 36/24 month contract.

Is there no Prepaid options available?

I am in the middle of a coverage area in Randburg so don't think coverage would be a problem, the guy is coming Saturday to do the LTE demo.

Thx
A
 
R

RichardG

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,697
Are you looking for a fixed LTE or Mobile(MiFi)?

Fixed router are available from Makro, CNA/EDGARS(if they still have stock), Telkom Mobile for R2499 Huawei B593-601(this model works on MTN,VODACOM,Telkom Mobile - LTE network, not sure of CELL C yet cause nobody has a provision card I can test did see another network. )

MiFi is more for mobile on the go or alternatively you can look at investing in an LTE Phone.
 
Azimuth

Azimuth

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2,308
Here are the most flexible options currently from Telkom Mobile:

Azimuth said:
View attachment 117661

:)
Click to expand...

Else, as RichardG has advised, get one from Makro for R1,999. A colleague got one this week so the special is still running.

Don't bother with CNA or Edgar's Mobile. Poynting also sell them but their price is quite high.

As an alternative to Telkom Mobile, MTN have started to offer their B593u-12 but at a R1000 premium to the B593s-601 from Makro:

https://shop.mtn.co.za/crs/mobile/productOverviewMobile.jsp?skuId=2434293&isUpgrade=
Note the B593u-12 does not support Telkom Mobile LTE, only MTN, Vodacom and. Cell C LTE.

Never before has the B593 been so widely available. :)
 
Last edited:
M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will go check it out tomorrow... Anyone got any experience with MTN LTE recently?
 
R

RichardG

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,697
MrNeedforSpeed said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will go check it out tomorrow... Anyone got any experience with MTN LTE recently?
Click to expand...

Personally - my area sucks with MTN! Telkom Mobile get wonderful speeds.

R1999 is the best investment you will ever make EVER! Check on BoB(Bid Or Buy) how much some are selling B593-601. Azimuth has had about 3 different routerse B593, once he bought B593-601 he sold all of his routers for this one :)

Value for money - you won't regret it
 
Azimuth

Azimuth

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2,308
MTN LTE seems much faster to me since it is more symmetric than TM. Upload speeds are 3x that of TM. HOWEVER some people have had issues with online gaming due to port blocking. For internet browsing or cloud backups, it is in my opinion a better choice.

Obviously one needs to use Afrihost mobile data and not MTN's. :p
 
Last edited:
M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
RichardG said:
Personally - my area sucks with MTN! Telkom Mobile get wonderful speeds.

R1999 is the best investment you will ever make EVER! Check on BoB(Bid Or Buy) how much some are selling B593-601. Azimuth has had about 3 different routerse B593, once he bought B593-601 he sold all of his routers for this one :)

Value for money - you won't regret it
Click to expand...

So the Huawei B593-601 is the one that works with TM LTE, Vodacam and MTN LTE? Thanks for the info i appreciate it. So basically I just get this router, buy a TM SIM Card prepaid and then buy one of the data promotions like the 10+10 or 60+60 deals?

thx
A
 
M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
RichardG said:
Yes. He is a forum member on here - Bob user. I would suggest going to makro and seeing if they have stock available or purchasing directly from Telkom Mobile.
Click to expand...

Called Makro Woodmead they have lots of them in stock for R2499. Is the one at Makro the 601 though?
 
Azimuth

Azimuth

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2,308
So the R1,999 special is over? Or will it apply once scanned at the tills?
 
R

RichardG

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,697
MrNeedforSpeed said:
Seems to be over :crying: the women said it is no long available at that price.
Click to expand...

If you going to purchase from Makro if you are, Download VoucherCloud(on your smartphone) there is a R120 discount voucher if you spend more than R1000.

Don't forget to use your eBucks card.

On the box it will display B593s-601
 
Last edited:
M

MrNeedforSpeed

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
261
Telkom guy just visited me to check signal. Just plugged the router in connected immediately and did a speedtest.

25mb/sec down, 6mb/sec up with 25ms ping... No antennas nothing just the router...not bad...need to go to Makro...:whistling:
 
N

Napalm

Expert Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
3,052
Yip, these b593 are quite good. Even without any added antenna's. (the internal is better than the paddle one's btw)


Only issue I have with LTE(actually the ISP's offering LTE) is still the excruciating high prices on the data.

LTE speeds are amazing and I don't think people would mind going this route (LTE is the way forward unless you can afford FTTH. but LTE is much faster than most ADSL lines, since most people are still on 2mbit/4mbit ...like 80% of the public. Very few % of the public can actually sync at 10mbit)
 
Last edited:
R

RichardG

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,697
Napalm said:
Only issue I have with LTE(actually the ISP's offering LTE) is still the excruciating high prices on the data.

LTE speeds are amazing and I don't think people would mind going this route (LTE is the way forward unless you can afford FTTH. but LTE is much faster than most ADSL lines, since most people are still on 2mbit/4mbit ...like 80% of the public. Very few % of the public can actually sync at 10mbit)
Click to expand...

LTE is definitely the future - if Telkom Mobile were to offer high packages on prepaid or contract I would definitely sign up if it is affordable at the moment their contract prices are exorbitant. Prepaid users get value for money on the GO BIG 120(if you have cash available to spend R1800 once-off - valid for 12 months or whichever comes first.

With Mobile Data you don't need to pay Telkom land line rental which is a saving of R157 per month x 12 (R1884), you can purchase an additional Go Big 120 but for some it isn't enough bandwidth. I would love to see Telkom Mobile introduce higher caps like 500 gig for R3000 will definitely take them up on that offer if they were to ever introduce it. Example 1 month promotion(valid for a year).
 
L

lloydkayak

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 31, 2010
Messages
159
Any ideas on where to get the modem since Makro has now stopped the special?

LTE is very attractive at the 60 + 60 deal but not if the modem is crazy pricy
 
Azimuth

Azimuth

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2,308
Makro's out-of-special price is still the cheapest. When I started on LTE 10 months ago the B593 typically cost R5,500! We're now paying half price and the hardware itself is worth it IMHO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top