Internet advice?

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dghough91

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Hi all

I'm moving (back) to South Africa at the end of the year for University (Stellenbosch). I need advice on what the best Internet plan would be. I am quite reliant on the Internet and am used to a 8mbps connection with 40 GB downloads a month. Obviously this is only a dream for me to have in SA as well, so I'll need to compromise.

Can't say I'll want to go over R500 (+ -), speed doesn't matter, as long as it works and isn't dial-up. I'll most likely be staying in a University apartment, so I'm not sure what the reception is like. I know iBurst have reception in the area, so if someone in the same situation could let me know how it is, that would be great.

I guess my only other options are 3G/ HSDPA, but it works out quite expensive as I recently discovered when I was in SA in December/ January. 500 MB for R189 is absolutely mad, considering how fast I use it.

WiMax isn't in Stellenbosch yet, according to the list of activated locations - so that's ruled out for now.

I assume I can settle for 3 GB. It's a bit compromise, but I'm sure I can ration my downloads and limit myself *hopefully*. I just want to get planning now so that I don't arrive there and I'm stuck on what my options are.

One last thing, does anyone actually know what Internet is provided by the University and how much does it cost?

Cheers.
 
If you're staying in university accomodation you probably wouldn't be able to get ADSL so that limits you quite a bit. Go for 3G/HSDPA over iburst. You can get 2GB for R389 and 3GB for R589, although the university connection would probably be a better option, don't know anything about Stellenbosch though. You should probably be able to download off the university network anyway I think.
 
best advice, stay is Aus! it's not only the INTERNET that's broken here...
 
LOL he is asking for advice, not pessimism and negativity thanks robbfg...

My advice would be see what Stellies offers you in terms of campus internet and work from there... Neotel Connect may be an option by the time you arrive www.neotel.co.za cos thats a device you can take anywhere.

Hope that helps... and SA is a great place... welcome back!
 
dghough91 said:
Hi all

WiMax isn't in Stellenbosch yet, according to the list of activated locations - so that's ruled out for now.

One last thing, does anyone actually know what Internet is provided by the University and how much does it cost?
Click to expand...

Firstly Stellenbosch has this unofficial WiMax thing going, all you need is a proper hard core wireless router and then you get free access to varsity services and then you can access the internet via what they call Inetkey so it goes through the varsity firewall, the only thing is that speed is restricted to 512kbs, its a free service with a once off cost of +-R1500 for the router. I just bought one and am currently using it. I live about 1km off campus so its rad. Go to https://www.scn.za.net/ for more info.

As for using the internet here's what they charge you:

Monday to Friday 00:00 to 01:59 R0.10/MB
Monday to Friday 02:00 to 07:59 R0.01/MB
Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:59 R0.30/MB
Monday to Friday 17:00 to 23:59 R0.10/MB

Saturday 00:00 to Saturday 01:59 R0.10/MB
Saturday 02:00 to Saturday 07:59 R0.01/MB
Saturday 08:00 to Saturday 16:59 R0.10/MB
Saturday 17:00 to Saturday 23:59 R0.10/MB

Sunday 00:00 to Sunday 01:59 R0.10/MB
Sunday 02:00 to Sunday 07:59 R0.01/MB
Sunday 08:00 to Sunday 16:59 R0.10/MB
Sunday 17:00 to Sunday 23:59 R0.10/MB

Tariff A = R0.30/MB
Tariff B = R0.10/MB
Tariff C = R0.01/MB

Going on the internet on campus is super fast, I got this e-mail so I'm presuming we get these these kinds of speeds;)
Dear IT User,

Because of change in our internet connection and a bandwidth upgrade from 24Meg to 30Meg, the internet and external email services will not be available on Tuesday 22 April 2008 from 12h00-15h00.

Regards

IT User Support Services
Click to expand...

Hope it helps dude
 
HiMyNameIsCraig said:
Firstly Stellenbosch has this unofficial WiMax thing going, all you need is a proper hard core wireless router and then you get free access to varsity services and then you can access the internet via what they call Inetkey so it goes through the varsity firewall, the only thing is that speed is restricted to 512kbs, its a free service with a once off cost of +-R1500 for the router. I just bought one and am currently using it. I live about 1km off campus so its rad. Go to https://www.scn.za.net/ for more info.

As for using the internet here's what they charge you:

Monday to Friday 00:00 to 01:59 R0.10/MB
Monday to Friday 02:00 to 07:59 R0.01/MB
Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:59 R0.30/MB
Monday to Friday 17:00 to 23:59 R0.10/MB

Saturday 00:00 to Saturday 01:59 R0.10/MB
Saturday 02:00 to Saturday 07:59 R0.01/MB
Saturday 08:00 to Saturday 16:59 R0.10/MB
Saturday 17:00 to Saturday 23:59 R0.10/MB

Sunday 00:00 to Sunday 01:59 R0.10/MB
Sunday 02:00 to Sunday 07:59 R0.01/MB
Sunday 08:00 to Sunday 16:59 R0.10/MB
Sunday 17:00 to Sunday 23:59 R0.10/MB

Tariff A = R0.30/MB
Tariff B = R0.10/MB
Tariff C = R0.01/MB

Going on the internet on campus is super fast, I got this e-mail so I'm presuming we get these these kinds of speeds;)

Hope it helps dude
Click to expand...

Excellent, thanks! That sounds really good, and cheap.

As for the campus internet (as you stated) is that accessible via WiFi on campus?
 
internet

Hi dghough91

Before u decide i just want u to go and check this site out.
I am using their services and its great. solmatrix.co.za
Hope it helps.

Have a lovely day.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
even with those rates my bill is like R400 a month. My poor parents :)
 
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