Getting Neotel (Bedfordview)...why shouldn't I?

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eagle-slayor

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That's my question, really.

I was at Eastgate today to get some work done at PostNet, and I saw in front of me the big poster - Neotel prime - R999 unlimited.

I asked the rep, and he said it was unshaped, no restrictions whatsoever. I got really excited. I saw it long ago, but I thought it was only locally unlimited. Turns out I was fortunately wrong.

My question is: should I go for it? I'm a heavy downloader, and I read all the FAQs. I'm going to test the speed tomorrow. Is there anything I should watch out before I commit to it?

Thanks!
 
The neotel device doesn't allow the forwarding of ports, so your psp will be slower, but it's still unshaped and uncapped.
 
Is it true that the Neotel device can't be used as an Ethernet broadband modem? E.g. into a linux-based firewall?
 
SecretCode said:
Is it true that the Neotel device can't be used as an Ethernet broadband modem? E.g. into a linux-based firewall?
Click to expand...

The device IS a modem*. It's not a ROUTER. It does not support ethernet.


*Well it doesn't really modulate and demodulate, but you know what I mean.
 
Last edited:
eagle-slayor said:
Won't be able to use it as a modem...that sucks...

are there any reports of average speeds lower than 150kBps around this area?
Click to expand...

Hey..

Why not phone them and ask them you first want to test the service....
I did have a try at the Prime package, was getting around 10 kb/s on torrents..... Well seeded international torrents roughly around 1 kbs.
 
Qwikslver said:
The device IS a modem*. It's not a ROUTER. It does not support ethernet.


*Well it doesn't really modulate and demodulate, but you know what I mean.
Click to expand...

So far we know that the bandwidth limiting factor is done by the device that they register on their network before handing it to you.

So in theory: If they provided a removable RUIM (SIM) with their device (which they don't). The reason why I think they prevent us from buying our own devices has maybe got something to do with what I'm about to say. Example if you buy a Lite Package they give you a phone that is not able to connect to EV-DO (3rd generation speed equivalent) network. So by buying your own handset that is EV-DO capable and plugging in your Neotel RUIM, will then allow you to browse at higher speeds but at the NeoConnect Lite package pricing rate. So that is my theory to why they don't want us to buy 3rd party phones :( And the fact that they are the only CDMA 2000 network in this country. (They use that also) And the reason why there is no RUIM to remove, hence they can milk us more for where on MTN/Vodacom we pay for the data used not the bandwidth (how fast, except maybe for Vodacom that wants to add more charges on HSDPA).

We also know that they hand out you a public IP address. Why the others claim that nobody can connect to them is mind boggling, because Neotel claims no shaping, no capping, no firewalling. So in theory people should connect to you directly. You should check your own firewall settings.

Using it as a modem on a Linux box, should work, as long as the device supports Abstract Control Model (USB CDC ACM)
modprobe acm

That should create a device under /dev/ttyACMx

Your dial number is #777

The procedure is very similar to using a gsm type phone (like nokia) on linux, except for the dialing number being *99#

What I don't know is if there is a pin, now I would guess you either remove the pin from the phone with the windows software. Or you can authenticate to the modem every time before you dial with the pin code.

Just google CDMA and linux dialup and you will see there are plenty of people got it to work in one way or the other.

The NeoConnect Lite package doesn't make any sense at that price you only get "gprs/edge" type performance, no where near 3G.

Have a look at the device they give for the NeoConnect Lite users: Huawei :ETS2258 This only encourages my theory further. The NeoConnect Prime device should be different and should be able to connect to the EV-DO network.
 
Last edited:
appel said:
It seems that you can eventually get some routing done using the USB device on *NIX.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=121632&highlight=linux

So, you'll need a *NIX box, Usbsacm driver, PPP and a NIC.

Good news.
Click to expand...

The nagging people here don't want to run a pc 24/7. I think they complain because it takes up too much power to do that where as a simple low powered device like a modem/router runs 24/7 and doesn't make as much noise and use of electricity. :o

I run my machine 24/7 and enabled low power/speedstep for when I'm not at the pc.
 
I would get it.. the network is still new... use it before it overloads:P
 
chubster said:
The nagging people here don't want to run a pc 24/7. I think they complain because it takes up too much power to do that where as a simple low powered device like a modem/router runs 24/7 and doesn't make as much noise and use of electricity. :o

I run my machine 24/7 and enabled low power/speedstep for when I'm not at the pc.
Click to expand...

I was refering to the posts people made asking if it can be done, such as this one:

Is it true that the Neotel device can't be used as an Ethernet broadband modem? E.g. into a linux-based firewall?
Click to expand...

Also, I really doubt anyone who actually ask for the routing functionality are concerned about the power a headless *NIX box will end up using. Hell, you can even use one of those EEE pc's for this task. (*gets an idea*)

And yes, it would be ideal if they just had a router for sale - but they don't.
 
That's my question, really.

I was at Eastgate today to get some work done at PostNet, and I saw in front of me the big poster - Neotel prime - R999 unlimited.

I asked the rep, and he said it was unshaped, no restrictions whatsoever. I got really excited. I saw it long ago, but I thought it was only locally unlimited. Turns out I was fortunately wrong.

My question is: should I go for it? I'm a heavy downloader, and I read all the FAQs. I'm going to test the speed tomorrow. Is there anything I should watch out before I commit to it?
Click to expand...

Are you nuts? For R1000/month?

Its becasue of ignorant people like you we stuck with these ridiculous prices.
We'll never see a cheap internet in this country unless we stick together and say enough is enough. We want affordable internet. They will never drop their prices unless we give them a reason to.
Many people expect prices to drop when SEACOM arrives. Dream on.
Why should they? Many people are just happy with what they getting now.
So people wake up and ignore their products untill better priced. They will have no choice but to drop the price at the end.
 
bobdihi said:
Are you nuts? For R1000/month?

Its becasue of ignorant people like you we stuck with these ridiculous prices.
We'll never see a cheap internet in this country unless we stick together and say enough is enough. We want affordable internet. They will never drop their prices unless we give them a reason to.
Many people expect prices to drop when SEACOM arrives. Dream on.
Why should they? Many people are just happy with what they getting now.
So people wake up and ignore their products untill better priced. They will have no choice but to drop the price at the end.
Click to expand...

I waited long enough. It's difficult to keep up with only 2GB per month, and that too at R449...what you want me to do? strike? be without internet?

I don't go for Telkom for their prices, but I need the internet for work, so I can't keep on protesting all the time, I'll get the cheapest/most appropriate possible
 
RichardG said:
Hey..

Why not phone them and ask them you first want to test the service....
I did have a try at the Prime package, was getting around 10 kb/s on torrents..... Well seeded international torrents roughly around 1 kbs.
Click to expand...

Test at the shop or at home? I can go and test at Eastgate, but I want to check it at home. Where did you try it?
 
I think bobdihi should check out comparable packages elsewhere. For uncapped anywhere else in the country it's over R1500 a month and slower than neotel, with R1500 start up cost and it's not unshaped. Bobdihi get your head out your ass.
 
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