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Computer no longer needed to make calls over the internet
- Thread starter rpm
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bb_matt
Executive Member
Hmmm, but the infrastructure required to use the service is still via Telkom obviously.
Why would someone want to get ADSL without a computer, at the large additional monthly cost, just to make phone calls?
In addition, the quality of those calls will not match that of standard landline calls.
I don't buy it, I really don't.
To me it smacks of Mweb marketing hype - I fail to see the value for money in this offering, but instead see Mweb trying to "blind with science"
To sum the service up, you need :-
1. A Telkom landline
2. ADSL from Mweb, installed by Telkom
3. A handset provided by Mweb
All that, to save a few cents on phone calls?
What about the quality of those calls?
How many calls do you need to make to start seeing a cost saving?
It doesn't add up, but then, Mweb never did, lots of marketing to sell an over-priced product range.
Perhaps it's aimed at business users, because the trend that is prevalent now is that landline phone private calls are dwindling - everyone uses mobiles these days.
Why would someone want to get ADSL without a computer, at the large additional monthly cost, just to make phone calls?
In addition, the quality of those calls will not match that of standard landline calls.
I don't buy it, I really don't.
To me it smacks of Mweb marketing hype - I fail to see the value for money in this offering, but instead see Mweb trying to "blind with science"
To sum the service up, you need :-
1. A Telkom landline
2. ADSL from Mweb, installed by Telkom
3. A handset provided by Mweb
All that, to save a few cents on phone calls?
What about the quality of those calls?
How many calls do you need to make to start seeing a cost saving?
It doesn't add up, but then, Mweb never did, lots of marketing to sell an over-priced product range.
Perhaps it's aimed at business users, because the trend that is prevalent now is that landline phone private calls are dwindling - everyone uses mobiles these days.
Hi BB_Matt
It is indeed a somewhat strange take on the service. Toby was in the same press briefing as us, and I suspect that he wanted to use a different angle than our article...
I think MWeb’s main selling point is that it is a seamless service where the phone will ring and you will pick up, not knowing whether it is VOIP or not. This may be why this angle was chosen. I am however fairly certain that Toby is not doing MWeb marketing here…he is a cool guy and good journalist.
Regards,
RPM
It is indeed a somewhat strange take on the service. Toby was in the same press briefing as us, and I suspect that he wanted to use a different angle than our article...
I think MWeb’s main selling point is that it is a seamless service where the phone will ring and you will pick up, not knowing whether it is VOIP or not. This may be why this angle was chosen. I am however fairly certain that Toby is not doing MWeb marketing here…he is a cool guy and good journalist.
Regards,
RPM
bb_matt
Executive Member
Ok, lets do the math - I'm using prices I remember here...
Standard Telkom landline rental = R80 per month
Calls for an average house, 5 minutes local per day, peak = R148
That's R228 a month.
Right, now onto Mweb :-
Standard Telkom landline rental = R80 per month
Telkom 192 rental = R300? per month
Calls via Mweb for an average house, 5 minutes local per day, peak = R75
That's R455 a month.
Are my maths right?
something isn't adding up here ...
Standard Telkom landline rental = R80 per month
Calls for an average house, 5 minutes local per day, peak = R148
That's R228 a month.
Right, now onto Mweb :-
Standard Telkom landline rental = R80 per month
Telkom 192 rental = R300? per month
Calls via Mweb for an average house, 5 minutes local per day, peak = R75
That's R455 a month.
Are my maths right?
something isn't adding up here ...
Analogue telephone adapters certainly arent exclusive to Mnet. Next month I'm snagging one of the new Netgear WIFI phones so I can skype from anywhere I can access a wifi connection.
As far as Mnet's offering is concerned you have to be a ADSL subscriber so that's r145 per gb, call charges similar to skype's and incoming calls to the 087 prefix from landlines arent even operational yet.
What concerns me is if the networks are going to intentionally degrade competitive services.
EDIT - Is there any built-in least cost call routing?
As far as Mnet's offering is concerned you have to be a ADSL subscriber so that's r145 per gb, call charges similar to skype's and incoming calls to the 087 prefix from landlines arent even operational yet.
What concerns me is if the networks are going to intentionally degrade competitive services.
EDIT - Is there any built-in least cost call routing?
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Hi Bwana
According to MWeb least call routing is in the pipeline...
According to MWeb least call routing is in the pipeline...
Hi BB_Matt
You are of course correct. We are also far away from triple play and this is a basic revenue generating add-on to MWeb's ADSL offering. Without a comp it does not make financial sense. MWeb’s argument is however that people with an ADSL service still does not want to use a headset for phone calls. I personally prefer a headset to a phone, but they bank on people that prefer using a basic telephone for all their telephony needs…
You are of course correct. We are also far away from triple play and this is a basic revenue generating add-on to MWeb's ADSL offering. Without a comp it does not make financial sense. MWeb’s argument is however that people with an ADSL service still does not want to use a headset for phone calls. I personally prefer a headset to a phone, but they bank on people that prefer using a basic telephone for all their telephony needs…
bb_matt
Executive Member
Hmmm, the interesting thing is that people now prefer to use mobile devices to make calls on - it's really only in the office space where traditional handsets are the norm.
There are some rumblings over here of the idea of VOIP over mobile phones, you'd probably know more than I about this - I remember reading about it a few days back.
Just dug up one of the articles about it :-
http://www.thecloud.net/content.asp?section=5&content=49&expand=407
To be honest, this renders Mweb's latest offering "DOA" in terms of international trends, but SA is a different market.
I see no future for Mweb's VOIP idea, but I guess they can use marketing spin to make a quick buck? - riding on the back of old international trends and repackaging it as "a neat idea" for those who know no better.
Kinda like the "Incredible Connection" situation ...
It's one reason why I despise Mweb - I have other reasons, namely thier terrible hosting services and afinity to "sit" on domains when you try to rest control back... but that's another story ...
There are some rumblings over here of the idea of VOIP over mobile phones, you'd probably know more than I about this - I remember reading about it a few days back.
Just dug up one of the articles about it :-
http://www.thecloud.net/content.asp?section=5&content=49&expand=407
To be honest, this renders Mweb's latest offering "DOA" in terms of international trends, but SA is a different market.
I see no future for Mweb's VOIP idea, but I guess they can use marketing spin to make a quick buck? - riding on the back of old international trends and repackaging it as "a neat idea" for those who know no better.
Kinda like the "Incredible Connection" situation ...
It's one reason why I despise Mweb - I have other reasons, namely thier terrible hosting services and afinity to "sit" on domains when you try to rest control back... but that's another story ...
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ic said:
You've missed the point. The problem is having to make the actual calls from your computer. Handling your bandwidth payments from your PC is a different story. Maybe my family is outdated but I can hardly see any of my relatives using a computer to make phone calls, the idea would probably be bizarre to them. With this system there is at least a separate device that resembles a conventional phone.
It works like this...
This product is targeted at existing MWeb ADSL users. Nobody expects people to move to broadband just to save a few Rand on the odd phonecall.
The cost of the service is thus:
Cost of the VoIP phonecalls (destination dependent, use per second or per minute rate) plus bandwidth usage charges (which will be roughly a fixed charge per minute or per second and calculated using the cost per GB charged on your MWeb ADSL package).
I understand that there is no cost to subscribe to this service, other than getting the adapter for the line/phone.
Anybody on the same line as me?
This product is targeted at existing MWeb ADSL users. Nobody expects people to move to broadband just to save a few Rand on the odd phonecall.
The cost of the service is thus:
Cost of the VoIP phonecalls (destination dependent, use per second or per minute rate) plus bandwidth usage charges (which will be roughly a fixed charge per minute or per second and calculated using the cost per GB charged on your MWeb ADSL package).
I understand that there is no cost to subscribe to this service, other than getting the adapter for the line/phone.
Anybody on the same line as me?
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*Nope, I certainly did not miss the point that a little-black box plugged into one's ADSL router in turn allows for a bog-standard telephone instrument*
*laughing at IC's delicate turn of phrase
CacklinToad
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*laughing at IC's delicate turn of phrase
CacklinToad
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Seriously - you dont think this is going to become part of mweb's advertising arsenal in order to attract new ADSL customers? Of course they are.onionpeel said:
Of course the subscription is free - at r145 per gb they should be sending someone around to dial the numbers for you.
RichardP
Banned
hows this special to MWEB?... a stupid black box plugged in to ADSL line on a Telkom account also works and get a phone number from the UK so I can even receive incoming calls from europe on my Voip line.. even works with iBurst
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RichardP
Banned
I got a +44 number , +46 and +1 number. they all work perfectly, and calling from the USA to SA is alot cheaper than alot of other places. www.vonage.com charges $0.10/Min from USA to SAic said:
Ok, its not a local call for S.Africans, but an 087 number isnt cheap either at R1.50/min (depending on what cell rates you get) The only advantage is that its a +27 number... I'll give em that.
Hopefully we'll see the likes of skype being able to issue local numbers soon then. I've already got my london and NY numbers.ic said:
Whats the big deal with having an incoming 087 number when you have to have a mweb adsl account which requires a telkom line in the first place?
ic said:
Oh jeez ok, it just came across in your original post that you were misinterpreting the statement 'Computer no longer needed to make calls over the internet', to meaning never having to use a computer at any point as opposed to not needing a computer to make the actual calls. Which would be silly considering the target for the product are people who already use broadband.
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So you wanna swap that for a SA number that you cant get calls on?JStrike said:
How are you replacing your current line if you still need it for the ADSL? If you've got mweb adsl - which is a requirement - you've already got an incoming number - right?
EDIT - and from what I understand telkom can charge whatever they like in terms of interconnection fees.
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Another article mentioned a 17c per minute interconnection fee between IS and Mweb - for normal VOIP or Skype there would be no charge. Can we expect a degradation of these other services?ic said:
So before this offer deserves more publicity you'd expect outside sources to be able to call you right?ic said:
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