I need a (temporary) alternative to ADSL ...

[darkangel]

Hi guys,

We're moving next week, and the house we're moving to (renting) does not have a Telkom line installed (and therefore obviously no ADSL). We've ordered the Telkom line, but that could take another week or two to be installed, after which we'd request that it be upgraded to an ADSL line. Of course, it's not even as simple as that – there are apparently no more ports left in the area we're moving to (Fish Hoek).

So ... I'm looking for a temporary alternative to ADSL. These are our requirements:

Speed:
We have a 384kbps connection now, so preferably something similar in speed, though I guess 56k would be better than nothing (yikes).

Cost:
We're paying about R297 at the moment for the ADSL line + bandwidth (5 GiBs). So, hopefully we can find something which is similarly priced.

Other considerations:
Clearly, we need to avoid any kind of contract, since this will be a short term thing. Also, if it's a technology which requires some sort of hardware (modem, etc.), it'd be great if we could rent it and not have to pay for it in full.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

_da.

 

[AstroTurf]

Get a 3g modem (around R600 at game).
Will help when your line goes down in future to have a backup as well.

 

[darkangel]

What does the bandwidth cost?

 

[Mantis]

R189 for 600MB from Vodacom. Expires after 60 days

 

[grok]

Hoop up your 3G phone (tether to the PC via USB cable or bluetooth) instead of buying a 3G modem.

 

[darkangel]

R189 for 600MB from Vodacom. Expires after 60 days

Yikes, that's expensive ... too expensive I think.

 

[darkangel]

Hoop up your 3G phone (tether to the PC via USB cable or bluetooth) instead of buying a 3G modem.

Ya, I wouldn't buy a separate modem for 3G.

 

[darkangel]

Looks like there's ZERO coverage from iBurst, so that's out of the question.

 

[darkangel]

Surely there are other options!?

 

[ChilliGirl]

remember the bigger the bundle is that you buy , the cheaper the price becomes. I'm sure vodacom has their pricing structures listed on their website. Go have a look there...

 

[darkangel]

remember the bigger the bundle is that you buy , the cheaper the price becomes. I'm sure vodacom has their pricing structures listed on their website. Go have a look there...

I have. The awkward part is that I'm not sure how long it'll be until we get ADSL (so it's a little difficult to decide how much bandwidth to purchase). Apparently our Telkom line will be installed on June 24 (a week after we move in).

 

[ReubenL]

There are other options but 3G is going to be the most cost-effective of them all for the time being. It also does not require a contract and you'll have a "backup" should your ADSL fail for some reason. You could also considder the MTN 3G uncapped option at R50 for 24 hours. I personally do not have any experience with their uncapped option but perhaps it is worth a try.

 

[racer]

Apparently our Telkom line will be installed on June 24 (a week after we move in).

why don't you just use dialup for that week.... its good enough to check email and browse websites... its not like you're gonna die or anything to not have fast internet for one week.

 

[ToAsTeD]

3G definitely. Just use your phone for access and purchase the bw in bundles until they can hook you up with a ADSL line

 

[ReubenL]

why don't you just use dialup for that week.... its good enough to check email and browse websites... its not like you're gonna die or anything to not have fast internet for one week.

Their Telkom line will only be installed on 24 June. In order to use dialup you require a working Telkom line...

 

[ReubenL]

3G definitely. Just use your phone for access and purchase the bw in bundles until they can hook you up with a ADSL line

+1

 

[darkangel]

There are other options but 3G is going to be the most cost-effective of them all for the time being. It also does not require a contract and you'll have a "backup" should your ADSL fail for some reason. You could also considder the MTN 3G uncapped option at R50 for 24 hours. I personally do not have any experience with their uncapped option but perhaps it is worth a try.

One small problem ... my cellphone doesn't support 3G (and the phone I am about to upgrade to (the Samsung Star) doesn't either [although I can choose another phone I guess]). So I either choose a different phone with 3G (more expensive), buy a modem, or perhaps use EDGE? Anyone have any experience with EDGE? Speed?

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[ReubenL]

One small problem ... my cellphone doesn't support 3G (and the phone I am about to upgrade to (the Samsung Star) doesn't either [although I can choose another phone I guess]). So I either choose a different phone with 3G (more expensive), buy a modem, or perhaps use EDGE? Anyone have any experience with EDGE? Speed?

Thanks for the help everyone.

Edge would work perfectly fine. The speed are slightly faster than GPRS / Dialup and is okay for browsing websites and e-mails. Setting it up is only a matter of connecting data cable to your phone and then to your PC. After installing the software, which came with your phone, you should be up and running in no time

 

[Anthro]

What the bandwidth costs is relative to what you need my friend, is it for business / casual browsing ?

 

[Eyenstyn]

The telkom technicians are on strike. I hope they end it before the 24th of June. I have been waiting over 3 months for my land line to be installed and they have continously rescheduled my appointment date, even after speaking to the technicians personally who promise to install it but just never pitch up.

I am going with iburst. I will wait for the land line installation but i bloody hate telkom! I read some negative comments regarding iburst but i hope i dont experience those problems with their service

MTN had this R50 a day package - surf as much as you want for R50 a day. I heard it on the radio but havent seen it advertised elsewhere...well i didnt check elsewhere :}