Decommissioning copper costs some consumers...

[GavGold]

You can rant about Telkom and copper as much as you like, but right now copper being switched off is going to cost some consumers financially.

The scenario is an over 70 living in a block of flats. Telkom is switching off copper so they're forced onto fibre but the block is not allowing OpenServe fibre. It's Covid time, so the older generation don't go out because everyone tells them not to. So they rely on their Telkom free anytime calls (not everyone has zoom/whatsapp/skype) to keep sane and in touch with friends and family.

The preferred ISP in the building is offering a good deal for the fibre but.......
* The modem is going to cost you R1150
* if they want VOIP then the porting (they've had their number of more year than many reader have been alive - literally) and setup will cost R198
* A cordless VOIP "handset" (Who still uses a corded handset??) will set them back R1999
* Calls are going to cost R0.22 - R0.33 per min . - not bad at all except when on copper they haven't paid for calls for years!

So, everyone can shout about copper being history and Telkom and, and, and..... But these "advances" are going to cost a retired consumer, who's ADSL serves their purpose just fine, a couple of K. And this is progress? If you have disposable income to spare maybe....

 

[TheChamp]

True, but the focus needs to be on those body corporates who are running the complexes like their little kingdom, they are the real enemy of the people.

 

[charlieharper]

Definitely the Body Corporate screwing up.

If they let Openserve (Telkom) in, installation is most certainly free, most ISP's provide a free router too (if they don't cancel in the next 6 months)

Talking under correction, but most VOIP routers allow traditional telephones, including the cordless ones to be plugged in and used normally.

You still get the unlimited 7-7, Telkom to Telkom calls for R18/m.. I think it's like R80 for unlimited Telkom to Telkom calls.

Unlimited calls to different providers (eg mtn / vodacom, etc) was never a thing.



Just browse a bit more, I think you are overthinking it. And also, think about if you wanna sell your place in the future - for the next generation of people moving in, they are most certainly gonna want decent internet.

As far as I know, you can use Telkom VoIP with any Fibre provider, not just Openserve.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

but the block is not allowing OpenServe fibre.

Well...there's the ONLY problem with this whole scenario.

Don't blame Telkom.

 

[deweyzeph]

99% of ADSL routers work just fine for fibre connections provided they also have a wan port. There is absolutely no need to get a "fibre" router. So there's a saving there.

The monthly cost of the slowest fibre connection will almost certainly be less than an ADSL connection, especially when you take into consideration not having to pay Telkom R200 a month for copper line rental. So there's another saving.

There's no need to purchase a VOIP phone. You can buy a Grandstream ATA device for R750 that allows you to use any analogue phone system you already have. So no need to buy an expensive VOIP cordless phone.

R198 once-off to port your Telkom number to a VOIP provider is a small price to pay to be free of Telkom.

Add to that the fact that most ISP's are offering to cover the cost of Openserve installations, and it's really not going to cost anyone that much to move into the 21st century, assuming they're already paying for a Telkom line and an ADSL connection.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Get fibre and WhatsApp call to everyone. You do not need VoIP.

I do appreciate there is an education side to this for old people and tech.

Edit,

Also, any ISP worth their salt will give you free installation and a free router as part of your subscription.