Do we need mass broadband?

[kaspaas]

Right now, do we need mass broadband, or do we need affordable internet connectivity for the masses?

I'm pretty sure that a product of R200 pm where one could connect with a 56k modem unlimited to the internet would be a winner to the consumer as well, the content providers as well as Telkom as it would increase the volumes of bandwidth required.

The R200 has to be a "complete cost" package with the Telkom dial-up costs and the ISP costs included, but can exclude the cost of the telephone line.

Even my parents are easily spending more than R200 pm (Telkom + ISP) just doing e-mail with their grandchildren And they are careful of only downloading mail during "callmore time". They can't afford to surf the web!

This is a "product" that can be implemented in little time with very little trouble to Telkom. But I doubt if they are prepared to take such initiative that might damage their profits in the short term.

Users of such an option will naturally grow to broadband products!






South Africa needs World Class Broadband at World Competitive Prices.

 

[freeek]

If wireless networks/meshes were fully legal. One person in the community could get ahold of lets say an uncapped adsl and a 512k wireless internet connection. Connect them to a router with some clever caching and offer everyone in the neigbourhood internet (56k) for R200 with no p2p. They could use webmail for their email.

It would work for about 50 people. on those 2 connections. It would be worthwhile for the guy setting it up

..- dot dot dash

 

[reech]

I think the two go hand in hand (BB+cheap access for the masses)- If people can offer cheap internet access via formal channels like internet cafes or more informal shared wireless networks etc internet use would skyrocket - benefitting local ecommerce and access to banking /govt services.

 

[Andre]

If we had free local calls like in civilized countries, that would help too.

 

[freeek]

I think Andre's saying is the best option. Free local calls, Finish!

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[podo]

It seems I really can't state this enough. Free local calls in South Africa would simply not work, because ISPs would be paying the price. Imagine if everybody simply left their computers connected permanently, effectively, the ISP you are dialing in to would be providing you with full leased line service at dial up rates, which will cripple limited dial-up infrastructure with enormous bandwidth requirements (a hundred users at 56kbps can still consume a lot of bandwidth.)

Basically, free local calls would do one of two things for South African internet access:

1) Cause ISPs to stop offering dial-up service.
2) Cause ISPs to offer dial-up service at premium access rates.

From a technical standpoint, it is actually cheaper to offer permanent access via ADSL than via normal analogue leased line or "permanent" dial-ups. This is simply not a good idea.

 

[CreepyCrawley]

Well... then the ISP's should get Telkom to do their ADSL roll-out faster. Or get Telkom to lower the cost of bandwidth. Or come up with something interesting when the new telco rules kick in next year. I know what I want. It's up to them to find a cost-effective way that will make me wanna get it.

Telkom se ma...

 

[freeek]

this has been discussed on a previous forum. There are ways around it for the ISP's. eg. no p2p. a excessive usuage cap, extra. If its available they will make a plan.

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