Choices! Please help

[jwdkhan]

Hey Jawad - suggestion: visit this forum's sister site (in spirit and partial intent) at http://www.hellkom.co.za and do some reading - methinx you'll get a better feel of things as they currently are, then come and post your questions again. Not trying to be unhelpful and an obstructionist, just practical...

mbs, thanks for the suggestion. I have done some reading on this site and already have some answers. Though I still need to figure out what my monthly data usage will be. I've never really needed to worry about caps here at work. Unfortunately since I'll be footing my DSL bill, I can't just opt for the 'un-limited' package. I wonder if 4G will be enough? I'll have a few large 100mb + project files to download, modify and then upload back to our server, but otherwise it'll mostly be sending emails back and forth or making on the fly changes to some realtime web based applications. Thanks.

 

[arf9999]

mbs, thanks for the suggestion. I have done some reading on this site and already have some answers. Though I still need to figure out what my monthly data usage will be. I've never really needed to worry about caps here at work. Unfortunately since I'll be footing my DSL bill, I can't just opt for the 'un-limited' package. I wonder if 4G will be enough? I'll have a few large 100mb + project files to download, modify and then upload back to our server, but otherwise it'll mostly be sending emails back and forth or making on the fly changes to some realtime web based applications. Thanks.

It is possible to buy another "account" if you find you do not have enough. If you're going to be uploading/downloading via FTP (i.e. not through a VPN or some other protocol) then the best bet would probably be a standard shaped 3GB account from Telkom or any of the other virtual ISPs. If you reach your cap, you can then purchase another account for that month. The 4GB account is quite expensive because it is unshaped.

<edit> Actually they're all expensive, the 4GB is just more so

 

[bwana]

Hi,

When you've been here for a while you'll understand there are ALWAYS additional charges when it comes to Telkom. Telkom is even worse than Ma Bell was before they took her apart. You’ll find some pertinent info here on Telkom and their associated charges.

You havent mentioned what part of the country you'll be moving to. ADSL isn’t available in all areas yet – even in big cities you might be outta luck. There are alternatives such as Vodacom's 3g (here the g stands for generation and not as a measurement of data), MTN’s EDGE, Iburst wireless, etc. All seem to run with a 3gb cap on data (this includes uploads and downloads).

As far as equipment goes do yourself a favor and grab a couple voltage converters – Radio shack sells some good ones. They’ll come in handy.

One thing you'll want to do is get yourself a Skype account. I've got local numbers in NY and London so my friends and family can keep in touch - Telkom's international call rates are excessively high but Skype lets you make international calls at a much better rate.

 

[jwdkhan]

I'll be moving to Pretoria and might have to change physical addresses after apprx. 2 months (I'll initially be staying with some relatives and will move after a month or two after I geta place of my own). Perhaps I'll have to pay the installation fees again?

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be bringing a few transformers/convertors with me. I'll even take a look at skype. What's this shaped/un-shaped limit folks mention? I've searched but could not find an answer. From what I've read so far, I figure I'll start wih the 384/3G package and then upgrade if needed though several folks have recommended starting with the 192 deal and then moving up if needed because apparently the up/down rate is the same for both 192/384?

Once again, thanks everyone .

Jawad

 

[bwana]

You might rather want to look at one of the wireless options instead of adsl as you'll be moving so soon after your arrival. Its not like it is there where you just call up and they switch you on - telkom has to physically come to your premises and test you lines, then enable you at the local exchange, etc, etc. Installation times can be horrendous.

The shaped and unshaped refers to ports and protocols - some services such as p2p are given a lower priority as opposed to ftp or http. That's a very vague example as different providers shape different ports. I telecommute to NY and London and a shaped adsl service makes little difference to me.

If you decide ADSL is they way to go then you migh tas well start off with the lowest line speed (192KBs in the case of adsl) if you’re having to pay out of your own pocket. Upgrading is free and at the moment people have been reporting very little difference in actual speeds though they’re bound to catch-on.

 

[louisp]

You might even consider asking your relatives to start the ADSL installation process before you come, else you might sit without Internet for a month.

i'm currently on 192/3g shaped account for almost a month now. Speeds are way quicker than 192. So I 'd strongly suggest going for 192 and then upgrade later if need be. Also, if you haven't yet, you might wanna buy the modem in the US before you come.

 

[quik]

I wonder if 4G will be enough? I'll have a few large 100mb + project files to download, modify and then upload back to our server, but otherwise it'll mostly be sending emails back and forth or making on the fly changes to some realtime web based applications. Thanks.

If these large project uploads of yours are say 2 or 3 times a month = 100Mb * 6 = 600MB. Then if all you're going to use your account for is browsing and e-mail I'd suggest you go with Vodacoms 3G.

You can buy packages from 25MB up to 10 GB but you'd probably get away with 1GB or so. You'll save yourself alot of frustration with telkom and you can get this prepaid which should speed things up alot. You also have the great advantage of being mobile, unlike ADSL. I'd suggest you bring along your own 3G data card if you decide to go this route.