Cybersmart replacement ISP

FYI, kilobitsperyear, had a great chat with an Afrihost support guy this morning. On the 1mbps uncapped account you can use up to 10gb in a 10 day period before the throttling starts. on 512kbps its 7.5gb per 10 day period. Not sure about the 384kbps account but its probably in the region of 5gb per 10 day period (based on a simple calculation). I'm sure if you ask Afrihost they would tell you.

I know its not 'TRUE' uncapped, but good info to know. I only ever used around 30gb per month when I was with Cybersmart 512kbps uncapped and since I got the free 512kbps -> 1mbps upgrade from Telkom, I'll probably get the 1mpbs uncapped account from Afrihost.

I'm almost sure from your posts on the other thread you also have the free 1gb Afrihost account that you used for testing (as I did) so you already know the network is good. Based on my experience the support as just as good. I get responses from Afrihost support within minutes, not hours or days.
 
Yup... I do have one of those Afrihost accounts... thank the gods... it has proved itself and saved some of my sanity this month.

I am indeed looking at the Afrihost option. Perhaps even their 20GB capped unshaped (I loath the word shaped now) package for myself.

I am also looking at the OpenWeb Gold uncapped... it is only the 12th, and I still have next month to throttle through with Cybersmart before I am free of this rubbish.

I will have to make a careful decision as to who I recommend to the pitchfork and flaming torch brigade, who were once called friends and family ;}.

Psykro said:
FYI, kilobitsperyear, had a great chat with an Afrihost support guy this morning. On the 1mbps uncapped account you can use up to 10gb in a 10 day period before the throttling starts. on 512kbps its 7.5gb per 10 day period. Not sure about the 384kbps account but its probably in the region of 5gb per 10 day period (based on a simple calculation). I'm sure if you ask Afrihost they would tell you.

I know its not 'TRUE' uncapped, but good info to know. I only ever used around 30gb per month when I was with Cybersmart 512kbps uncapped and since I got the free 512kbps -> 1mbps upgrade from Telkom, I'll probably get the 1mpbs uncapped account from Afrihost.

I'm almost sure from your posts on the other thread you also have the free 1gb Afrihost account that you used for testing (as I did) so you already know the network is good. Based on my experience the support as just as good. I get responses from Afrihost support within minutes, not hours or days.
Click to expand...
 
I'm in the same boat - only get about 35 gigs a month on night rider bundle (15 gig) and I want a bigger cap but am afraid of the move. I am also tired of cybersmart's unofficial crap - why can't they grow some ballas?!
 
I used TRL before and had a 4meg line with 30GB unshaped cap for R670.they a reseller from Cybersmart, but i had no problems with them. ask for a test account to check it out
 
Stevie G said:
I used TRL before and had a 4meg line with 30GB unshaped cap for R670.they a reseller from Cybersmart, but i had no problems with them. ask for a test account to check it out
Click to expand...

That is a good price... but I prefer nothing to be tainted by Cybersmart... looking at OpenWeb Gold or the Afrihost unshaped 20GB capped...
Thanks for that recommendation, I will probably still give TRL a look into.
 
kilobitsperyear said:
... but I prefer nothing to be tainted by Cybersmart...
Click to expand...

so just cause of a bad 12 days, you're gonna dump your isp and go hunting for another? by the time you settle on a new ISP, cybersmarts network changes will be done and everyone there will be happy again and you'll be complaining about the new isp :)
 
Yup... see my whole whine here... http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/330686-Anyone-else-crawling-on-Cybersmart-tonight and perhaps this summary of why...

I am still looking for cheese to go with that.

racer said:
so just cause of a bad 12 days, you're gonna dump your isp and go hunting for another? by the time you settle on a new ISP, cybersmarts network changes will be done and everyone there will be happy again and you'll be complaining about the new isp :)
Click to expand...

EDIT: They say their network has not changed, there is no problem... and according to their helpdesk THIS is the way the service is going to be from the 1st of May.

Only 12 days perhaps... but according to Cybersmart, the shape of things to come.

Crumbs, Wazzup ISP cannot offer this as a reliable service any longer and has canned it too. So have I.
 
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racer said:
so just cause of a bad 12 days, you're gonna dump your isp and go hunting for another? by the time you settle on a new ISP, cybersmarts network changes will be done and everyone there will be happy again and you'll be complaining about the new isp :)
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12 bad days most people can deal with, 12 days of asking cybersmart for a reason why and being told nothing/that the problem does not reside on their network...not cool.
 
Hello all...

So, I have decided on this...

384k Gold - R269

* Gold is shaped on p2p, torrents, rapidshare and similar.
* Shaping includes NNTP. When the network is busy, Shaping will take place. During quiet times, shaping is relaxed.
* 1 concurrent ADSL line connected
* Signup now, your account will be sent to you on 1 July 2011
Click to expand...

On special at the moment too... yay.

http://www.openweb.co.za/index_promo.asp

It will just mean one month of overlapping ISP provision as I cocked-up my Cybersmart cancellation this month - only effective end of next. Cybersmart... good riddance.
 
Shaping relaxed at quiet times - When is the quiet time?

Mweb says the same btw.
 
CS is still best value for money for unshaped capped at 384kb if you can schedule resumable downloads during Nightrider, and 40GB to 45GB pm sates your appetite. The competing package from other ISPs is usually shaped uncapped at a higher monthly rate but you could potentially download around 60-70GB(?). Take your pick. If you download torrents etc but not to excess and you are budget conscious then CS. Otherwise go for one of the others. For any shaped account however be prepared to be throttled if the ISPs margins are slowly dwindling.
 
Hi Lounger....

Anything has to be better than this Cybersmart death throttle.

I am hearing more good things about OpenWeb than Mweb at the moment... but I guess time will tell.

If only Cybersmart did not throttle everything to this unusable degree. 5 reloads to get Mybb up eventually.

Now... perhaps it is time to go 1Mb... * sigh * more decisions.
 
I will jump in here and say this: The 1mb line speed is definitely worth it. I can't speak much for Openweb as they didn't work out for me but judging by the forumites general response to them they are on an upswing. Mostly happy on MWEB uncapped, I don't abuse the line (much) and it works wonderfully for what I need it for.

If the grandparentals are stressed about price and they mainly browse, check out AxxessLite at R19 a gig. No contract needed and has saved my bacon a few times.
 
Hi StevenC

Thanks for the input.

All feedback is most welcome. My head spins trying to make a decision... not only for myself but for friends and family... I got them into Cybersmart, now it is up to me to get them out.

* gulp *

MY needs are completely torrent, p2p and news server free... Mainly used for browsing and http / application / software downloads, with a lot of YouTube (9 year old and 5 year old do this) and Joomla / TeamView support. The maximum used ever by everybody has been just over 20GB one month... the average sitting in the 15GB - 17GB range. It must just work as expected. Being throttled to under 5Kb as with Cybersmart just does squat. There is no real 20GB offer at the moment that is worthwhile hence the uncapped route.

I have been seeing a LOT of negative Mweb posts lately... and thus am reluctant to recommend them. Any fallout will be directed at me.

How has your Mweb experience been ? Browsing and stuff OK ? YouTube fine ? Downtime ?

I have to make a decision before month end, and it is proving to be very difficult. Does the extra cash warrant the reward of a 1Mb upgrade ? Or is it better just to stick to 384 with a reliable (if it exists) ISP ?

Your input will be most welcome... as will be anyone else's.


StevenC said:
I will jump in here and say this: The 1mb line speed is definitely worth it. I can't speak much for Openweb as they didn't work out for me but judging by the forumites general response to them they are on an upswing. Mostly happy on MWEB uncapped, I don't abuse the line (much) and it works wonderfully for what I need it for.

If the grandparentals are stressed about price and they mainly browse, check out AxxessLite at R19 a gig. No contract needed and has saved my bacon a few times.
Click to expand...
 
kilobitsperyear said:
Hi StevenC

Thanks for the input.

All feedback is most welcome. My head spins trying to make a decision... not only for myself but for friends and family... I got them into Cybersmart, now it is up to me to get them out.

* gulp *

MY needs are completely torrent, p2p and news server free... Mainly used for browsing and http / application / software downloads, with a lot of YouTube (9 year old and 5 year old do this) and Joomla / TeamView support. The maximum used ever by everybody has been just over 20GB one month... the average sitting in the 15GB - 17GB range. It must just work as expected. Being throttled to under 5Kb as with Cybersmart just does squat. There is no real 20GB offer at the moment that is worthwhile hence the uncapped route.

I have been seeing a LOT of negative Mweb posts lately... and thus am reluctant to recommend them. Any fallout will be directed at me.

How has your Mweb experience been ? Browsing and stuff OK ? YouTube fine ? Downtime ?

I have to make a decision before month end, and it is proving to be very difficult. Does the extra cash warrant the reward of a 1Mb upgrade ? Or is it better just to stick to 384 with a reliable (if it exists) ISP ?

Your input will be most welcome... as will be anyone else's.
Click to expand...

Your monthly total is modest but you want this to be downloaded at reasonable and consistent speeds commensurate with the line speed. Your ony choice is then unshaped capped. With anything else you will achieve the 20GB but will then potentially have frustrated 5/9 year olds on your hands. Also, if uncapped, the usage unfettered is likely to grow beyond 20GB along with your users expectations of the same consistent speeds. You will then be back where you started.
 
kilobitsperyear said:
Cybersmart has turned the yum to yuk.
Click to expand...

+1

Afrihost / Axxess / etc = IS - network saturated / unstable - not an option
MWEB - disaster from DNS right through - not an option
WebAfrica - too many network issues, heavy shaping
Vodacom - too expensive & takes far too long to resolve network issues - not an option
MTN - better than the above, but only available through FNB and international throughput is exceptionally poor - not an option

OpenWeb - better than the above, however you are to ensure that you are not purchasing any of the above.

A re-seller active on this forum indicated that they might be supplying bandwidth provisioned on the Altech backbone, which could be a potential winner - however cost is still to be indicated.

Any other options?
 
Kilo,

I have spoken to Axxess regarding the difference between their R59(don't know if it's still the same) & R19.

There were a few differences. 3 of which were:
No email (this is easily overcome with gmail, hotmail ect....)
account not locked to your number
& the one that might effect if you'll recommend to family-you can team view(or equal) out but you can't team view IN. Meaning you won't be able to access family's PCt if they're on this.

Note this was about 6 months ago so it is possible that it could have changed. Maybe call them for a ''current confirmation'',
 
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If none of the above is a problem for anyone then the R19/GB are great for low-end users. As generally these run unshaped.
 
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