Help me make the move ....to ADSL

[tsume]

I've been contemplating a move from Vodacom to ADSL and I think its time I started making the steps.
So just read this guide and had a few questions to ask

I have a phone line and did the DSL availabilty which I qualify for.

1) I have a prepaid line which I read I will have to change. But is there an option where I can use a pin to make calls as is done with the prepaid, to prevent my sister from running up the bill (I'm sure we paid for a down payment on a telkom executives car)

2) The phone line has the old connection (where it looks like some plug connection), so will the line need to be upgraded , is this part of the installaton portion or will I be charged seperately?

3)I'll also be needing an ADSL modem. I was thinking of getting an ADSL wireless modem router combo. What specs should I be looking for especialy with compatibility with gaming consoles, any suggestion which one I should get and where?

 

[hambone]

1) Get a phone with a pin lock to block the calls, or call Telkom to have the line blocked?

2) Go for a Telkom Closer plan, that way you'll get free installation (I think), and ask them to upgrade your massive plug-point like indoor adapter to the modern one. Regardless of the installation price, your installation will include the fitment of the modern jack, with a POTS filter too. If you already have pre-paid why would you need to pay installation anyway?

3) Any cheap wireless router will do the trick, I'm a firm believer that the simpler the router the better. And judging by your questions and late arrival to ADSL you are not a power user and therefore require nothing more than a simple router (with wireless). Get one at your local PC shop, or Makro... I woudn't spend more than say 800 bucks on the router.

 

[tsume]

Thanks

 

[Schickelgruber]

Don't get a crappy router though. I had my issues with them.

 

[tsume]

Went to incredible [-]corruption[/-] connection (only pc shop place open on a sunday) to look for adsl modem with router, I couldn't believe the prices. I thought the max I would be spending would be around R900.
Does anyone know of a good pc store in the East Rand? Hopefully one with a good website to check the prices.

 

[Shah33m]

IC is generally expensive, try smaller pc shops, like here in CT at viva the Dlink DSL2640u which is a decent router goes for R650

http://hardware.am/Photo/Products/Network/D-Link/D-Link_DSL-2640U.jpg

there is a cafeVIVA in Midrand if that helps

 

[DarkStreet]

Just sign a 24 month contract with Telkom and get a router for free. I got a Netgear DG834GU for free when I had my line installed.

 

[Srack0verflow]

i wouldn't recommend contracts, because there will be penalties if you want to get out and maybe go for a cheaper provider at a later stage. at least they wont give you a network locked router like a certain other ISP does

 

[DarkStreet]

i wouldn't recommend contracts, because there will be penalties if you want to get out and maybe go for a cheaper provider at a later stage.

Like... um... Neofail?

 

[Srack0verflow]

Like... um... Neofail?

i had other ADSL service providers in mind actually. but yeah, Neotel's one example of how one would get trapped in a contract.

 

[DarkStreet]

i had other ADSL service providers in mind actually.

Who?

 

[Srack0verflow]

Who?

mtheft or internet polution

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

i wouldn't recommend contracts, because there will be penalties if you want to get out and maybe go for a cheaper provider at a later stage. at least they wont give you a network locked router like a certain other ISP does

True, but you need to look at cost of ownership. I signed my 24mth contract 3 weeks back and worked the router into the price. I anyway found my previous router only lasted 24mths (thanks Eskom!) so its not like its a once of expense. I worked out my DSL line is being subsidised by R32 a month (working on the routers value at R750 and not R1000) which means I'm paying R65 for 3gigs blended. Happy with that as I use only 2gigs a month.

Not to mention I won a free phone (worth R200) and my wife really really wants to that online scrap booking for which I got R100 voucher.