Getting Parents Online with HSDPA

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Purpleryowzer

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Hi, I wonder if you can help a newbie? I am based in the UK and I want to get my parents online so that we can chat online or skype. I've tried to suggest getting an ASDL line but all I get is "It's too Complicated". I've been looking into an option of HSDPA - and it seems that this could be the answer.

I'm coming over to SA in a months time and hope to enquire a bit more into it when I am there but what I wanted to know beforehand is whether I should buy a laptop/netbook here and then look into getting onto HSDPA in SA? or are there package deals that include a laptop but will I get that instantly so that I can set up while I am in SA? Which would be better? Also, how long does it take to get setup? i.e. is it just a matter of plugging in the dongle and then instant access to the web? Will my parents be able to use webcam on a basic package... and where in SA do I go for the best advice for this?

Sorry for all the questions... I do have many more but these were the main ones. I find all this very confusing but hope that this will clear up whether this could be the solution for me. I think the most important question for me is do I buy a laptop here and will it work with the technology there? Please help!
 
We do have deals that includes a laptop also. You can choose either a 24 month or 36 month contract period for these. You may also buy a laptop there and give it to them here and just get the modem here should you wish. I use Skype often to chat with a friend of mine in the UK and Skype does work well on 3G (including Web Cam), but then of course that is dependant on network conditions and coverage. If you dont have good coverage for 3G, it will affect the quality of the call etc.

Skype can be very bandwidth intensive, specially if you going to use Video on both ends (remember, u also pay for uploading data, not just receiving). I would suggest perhaps looking @ a Advanced data bundle to make sure that if your parents do run over the allocated data bundle, that they still pay the same rate as they would have if they were still in the bundle. Your parents dont sound like the type of people thats going to want to worry about topping up etc etc, so I think that would be the safest option.

Just to give you a idea please see below.

V9104600 ZTE K3765 USB MODEM + FREE SIM & CONNECTION FREE ON STD MY GIG 1 / TOP UP DATA STD MY GIG 1 FOR 24 MTHS 2009-11-03 2010-03-06
ZTE K3765 USB MODEM + ESPRIMO V6535 @ R 210 PM + R 349 PM FOR 24 MTHS ON STD MY GIG 1 / TOP UP DATA STD MY GIG 1

You can of course also go the prepaid route, but then you just need to make sure your parents know how to buy the airtime and convert it into data bundles etc.

Regards:
 
It would probably be cheaper to buy the notebook in the UK and just get the 3G portion in SA, but then of course there are issues like warranty (some do come with international warranties). You should also be able to get a unlocked 3G modem in the UK for much cheaper than here and then use that to test on pre-paid to see if it's a viable solution. If it works you can then decide to go contract or just stick to pre-paid.

@oc, is ZTE now the only thing Vodacom sell? Gimme a Hauwei any day, just looks like too many people have issues with ZTE's :p
 
The K3565 we sometimes get huawei and sometimes ZTE, the K3765 is currently only ZTE. I also prefer Huawei as it seems to be better supported in Ubuntu (The K3565 seems to be giving issues with it). I am using the trusty old E220 and E156G Huawei modems. I do have good news for you though Morkhans. I just got a memo from Vodacom and a Huawei version of the K3765 modem is now available.

K3765 Brief Introduction V2.0
platform MSM6290
Form USB Stick
Operating frequency(3G) UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 2100/900 MHz
Operating frequency(2G) GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Speed HSUPA 5.76Mbps/HSDPA 7.2Mbps
Interface USB 2.0 high speed
Dimensions 71 mm × 25.5 mm × 12.5 mm
Weight 30g
Receive Diversity Support
（
2100/900 MHz
）
Micro SD card slot Support
（
up to 32GB
）
External
Antenna interface
Not Support
Equalizer Support
OS Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista
Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 with latest upgrades
Linux: Ubuntu 8.10/8.04/7.10, openSuse 11.0/10.3, Fedora 10/9/7, Debian
4.0, Xandros 4.2

Remember, you would have to tell the shop that you want the Huawei version, not the ZTE if that is your preference.

Regards:
 
Thanks OC. I hope you are selling all your customer the Huawei models ;)
 
morkhans said:
Thanks OC. I hope you are selling all your customer the Huawei models ;)
Click to expand...

Well, I have sent out a memo to all my stores informing them about the new version, and also told them that I prefer the Huawei modems. But obviously stock availability will dictate what we order. If the Huawei version is not available, then we will order the ZTE as we can not afford to be without modems.
 
@OP
you're assuming that you'll get 3g coverage. you'd need to do a network test first and go with the best operator.
at least with dsl if your exchange is enabled, you don't have to stress too much about poor signal.
i wouldn't go buying modem hardware till you've done some tests.
 
murraybiscuit said:
@OP
at least with dsl if your exchange is enabled, you don't have to stress too much about poor signal.
Click to expand...

This is the VODACOM thread. Dont try and make a Telkom sale here allllriggghhht!!!!! :p:p

Yes, I would also recommend that you check the signal first. As a first step, go here and check if they fall under 3G coverage.

http://www.vodamap.net/3g/

To make 100% sure, it is always a good idea to check the 3G signal with a 3G handset.
 
Thanks for the advice. It seems so easy here in the UK as there is so much jargon that I am not familiar with and they do tend to spoon feed us here. :-)
I checked the coverage for Vodacom and it looks good. I think I will look into getting a netbook here (on windows 7) as I think it works out a lot cheaper... and my next question is where do I go in South Africa for spoon feeding? i.e. where can I go where they will set up everything for me explain what I need, how much the bundles will cost, etc... I will be based in Gauteng near East Rand Mall... will I be up and running straight away? or does it take time to set up? Thanks!
 
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Prepaid is basically immediately. If you go contract, you/they will need to apply for a contract. You can visit my Vodashops in Eastgate for assistance. Sending their contact details via PM.



Modems are pretty much plug and go. Should you run into trouble, there is also a Vodacom Walk In Data Centre in Eastgate (lower level oposite FNB.

For pricing on the data bundles, you can also visit http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/vodacom_broadband/cost.jsp

And no, the modems do not come with pacifiers for after being spoon fed ok?! :-)
 
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murraybiscuit said:
at least with dsl if your exchange is enabled, you don't have to stress too much about poor signal.
Click to expand...
I agree with murraybiscuit.

If they already have a Telkom phone line, the least complicated route is probably Telkom's Closer Plan 4.

3G/HSDPA is too complicated with all the rules about data bundles and expiry dates and carry over and Broadband Advanced.
If your parents don't need mobile broadband, they shouldn't pay the premium for it.
 
ginggs said:
I agree with murraybiscuit.

If they already have a Telkom phone line, the least complicated route is probably Telkom's Closer Plan 4.

3G/HSDPA is too complicated with all the rules about data bundles and expiry dates and carry over and Broadband Advanced.
If your parents don't need mobile broadband, they shouldn't pay the premium for it.
Click to expand...

*kicks ginggs* :p
 
lol.

listen oc this bb is about giving the best advice, not about partisan loyalty.
i don't really care what granny and gramps use, as long as they can chitter-chat without any surprises.

anyways, @Purpleryowzer my last 10c - if you're getting a new sim card, you'll have to do RICA authentication, so best you call first to find out what paperwork you need
i presume the person who pays the account needs to prove their identity...
 
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talking about partisan loyalty though...
i do know of an sa to overseas phone to phone solution which could work well for oldies that are scared of technology.
pm me if you want to try it out - no initial setup cost, additional hardware or software required.
 
ocleroux said:
Can the Advanced bundle not be seen as a flat rate service though?
Click to expand...
Sorry for the ambiguity, I meant flat-rate as in the Blackberry internet service, or some of the unlimited "flat-rate" 3G data plans you get in Europe, where you pay a fixed rate per month for 3G service.

One can still get bill-shock with Broadband Advanced. If Windows Update gets stuck downloading a service pack over and over again you can still end up with a huge bill, not as high as with Broadband Standard, but still potentially shocking.
 
ginggs said:
Sorry for the ambiguity, I meant flat-rate as in the Blackberry internet service, or some of the unlimited "flat-rate" 3G data plans you get in Europe, where you pay a fixed rate per month for 3G service.

One can still get bill-shock with Broadband Advanced. If Windows Update gets stuck downloading a service pack over and over again you can still end up with a huge bill, not as high as with Broadband Standard, but still potentially shocking.
Click to expand...

Oh ok...so like a uncapped kinda thing? Yes, I too would love to have 3G like that. T-Mobile in the UK have something like that. Although they say it is unlimited, when you read the fine print about the "fair usage" policy, you basically get 1Gig data, and after that you can still browse as much as you want, but at seriously capped speeds.

My ex who lives in the UK is constantly bragging on how he can watch TV on his laptop via IP or something and he does not pay a cent extra, no matter how much data it uses or how long he watches for. bleh! hehe
 
Thanks everyone! Ordered a netbook... Dell 10v, so now can't wait to get to SA to be confused with all the options out there! :-) I hope it's sunny!
 
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