Internet for the Elderly? Advice?

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Chazza2003

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I should have read my Welcome Message first, and posted this in the ADSL section - Sorry :P

Hi, I created an account just for this question, basically...

Our grandparents have recently visited, and have been kitted out with all sorts of tech and training, by the family, to take home and so they can communicate with us 2010's style.

I am looking for an internet deal, preferably 3mb/s+. Something stable enough to enable the grandparents to Skype with the family around the world, and watch Internet TV as they desire.
So I thought I'd ask the local community, as I have been digging around on Google, with the options and reviews sending me back and forth, and the confusion getting the best of me.

Don't get me wrong, I am a bit techy, but knowing what's best in a foreign country, is beyond me.

They are currently using a Telkom phone line, but I'm sure they can be convinced to switch, if necessary - But they are old, and would prefer not to go through the trouble.
5mb/s-10mb/s, preferably; also uncapped would be excellent, but the prices rocketed on the deals I saw, for uncapped deals. I guess 10gb limit Per Month, would be alright, at a minimum.

I would like to stay away from Mobile Broadband, as we have tried it in the UK for long enough to know, that it's an unstable mess of a way, of connecting to the Web.

Any suggestions are much appreciated, and perhaps links, if they are allowed on these forums.
Thanks for your time :)
 
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What's their budget a month?
Openweb have some decent capped accounts- R49 for 10 GB a month, 89 for 20GB etc, the rest depends on their budget.
 
I agree, Telkom would probably be the best bet as it is simple :)

But otherwise - here is a capped account which would suit their needs perfectly. Afrihost 50GB 10Mbps Bundle @ R497. This bundle includes a 10Mbps ADSL line and a 50GB Cap, so all that needs to be paid to telkom is the R150 Line rental. I would go with that as it is nice and simple and when there is an issue - they only need to call one number instead of multiple numbers :) Also - the service is unshaped, which means full speed 24/7

Total P/M: R497+R157 = R647 P/M

Same deal but with a 4Mbps Line would be R547 P/M.

Good luck in choosing!
 
Have fixed up several retirees with Skype and similar. They seem to get most confused about the billing aspect. You have to hold their hand when setting it up and leave behind clear instructions on how to get it going and a flow-chart on what to do if it stops, as it will now and again

After applying for an ADSL line and a free router from Telkom, I set the wifi password to their telephone number and the SSID of the router to John's place or similar

Most of the time they are using an iPad or tablet quite close to the router, so range is not a problem.

I find that in any case, I have to make a return visit about 3 times a year to clear up any misconceptions that have arisen

The main attribute you need is patience. I just chose the cheapest option available. 5Gb a month at 2mb is fine for Skype
 
My grandfather has bookmarks of porn... He has also acquired millions of viruses.
 
Thanks for the great responses!

We will be attempting to pay the bill from the UK, so we're expecting to be paying international transfer charges on top of the bill.
And R600 a month is a bit pricey for a daily Facebook checking and Skype call.

Everything's so simple over here, you pay a price and get everything set up for you and Go.
Speed, Bandwidth and Price are always displayed, Routers are included with 99% of packages, There's about 20 packages on every site I've visited - It's confusing the hell out of me lol

I am very interested in the Freedom Uncapped package, as I can't see them using over 5GB p/m very often - If at all.

I have reviewed the sites posted, and the OpenWeb seems most Appealing, although I have a few questions about it:
None of the packages have a Speed displayed on their pages, so how fast is it?
Do the OpenWeb packages come with a router? I'd guess not..
Is a Telkom ADSL line an extra? on top of the Phone Line?

At least 4Mb/s and 10GB Limit is all I want, Just to be safe - I can't see them needing it, but it saves the hassle of upgrading or running over the limits - R700 from Telkom seems a bit ridiculous though.
 
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Chazza2003 said:
Thanks for the great responses!

We will be attempting to pay the bill from the UK, so we're expecting to be paying international transfer charges on top of the bill.
And R600 a month is a bit pricey for a daily Facebook checking and Skype call.

Everything's so simple over here, you pay a price and get everything set up for you and Go.
Speed, Bandwidth and Price are always displayed, Routers are included with 99% of packages, There's about 20 packages on every site I've visited - It's confusing the hell out of me lol

I am very interested in the Freedom Uncapped package, as I can't see them using over 5GB p/m very often - If at all.

I have reviewed the sites posted, and the OpenWeb seems most Appealing, although I have a few questions about it:
None of the packages have a Speed displayed on their pages, so how fast is it?
Do the OpenWeb packages come with a router? I'd guess not..
Is a Telkom ADSL line an extra? on top of the Phone Line?

At least 4Mb/s and 10GB Limit is all I want, Just to be safe - I can't see them needing it, but it saves the hassle of upgrading or running over the limits - R700 from Telkom seems a bit ridiculous though.
Click to expand...

If you go with one of the Pay by Credit card accounts, you can pay with your CC. Telkom can also be paid with a credit card.

So it may be possible to go with Telkom DO Internet and pay each month, at the end of the month, from your end, via credit card. No international transfer charges, which would be about R150 per month I gather. Your family in SA would need to register for the service - which is simple enough.

Your grandparents get an all inclusive ADSL package. They create an online Telkom profile, or you could do it for them, if you have their ID number and details.

https://secureapp.telkom.co.za/iam/public/register
 
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What city do these people live in? Maybe I can go and give them a hand
 
vicv said:
My grandfather has bookmarks of porn... He has also acquired millions of viruses.
Click to expand...

Aside from the technical/pricing details it is orientating them to a user policy of not clicking any link. Search this forum here for calls from microsoft and getting corrupted by cryptolocker and scams from nigeria ... people are gullible or greedy and fall prey to such.

my 2 cents
 
noswal said:
Aside from the technical/pricing details it is orientating them to a user policy of not clicking any link. Search this forum here for calls from microsoft and getting corrupted by cryptolocker and scams from nigeria ... people are gullible or greedy and fall prey to such.
my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Yes, you are quite right. One old (87 years) fellow called me to say he had emails to say he had won all these competitions. I told him to delete the lot without viewing them. But he could not and fell for it. After cleaning up the mess, I told him I would disconnect the system if he did it again. I think that fixed it
 
Chazza2003 said:
Thanks for the great responses!

We will be attempting to pay the bill from the UK, so we're expecting to be paying international transfer charges on top of the bill.
And R600 a month is a bit pricey for a daily Facebook checking and Skype call.

Everything's so simple over here, you pay a price and get everything set up for you and Go.
Speed, Bandwidth and Price are always displayed, Routers are included with 99% of packages, There's about 20 packages on every site I've visited - It's confusing the hell out of me lol

I am very interested in the Freedom Uncapped package, as I can't see them using over 5GB p/m very often - If at all.

I have reviewed the sites posted, and the OpenWeb seems most Appealing, although I have a few questions about it:
None of the packages have a Speed displayed on their pages, so how fast is it?
Do the OpenWeb packages come with a router? I'd guess not..
Is a Telkom ADSL line an extra? on top of the Phone Line?

At least 4Mb/s and 10GB Limit is all I want, Just to be safe - I can't see them needing it, but it saves the hassle of upgrading or running over the limits - R700 from Telkom seems a bit ridiculous though.
Click to expand...

I would still go with Afrihost capped - as it is the easiest with upgrading/downloading packages and it will allow you to manage their account for them using the client zone :)

Check out afrihost.com - also, Openweb is very good but they don't offer bundles so you will still need to purchase a line from telkom :(
 
chrisc4290 said:
Yes, you are quite right. One old (87 years) fellow called me to say he had emails to say he had won all these competitions. I told him to delete the lot without viewing them. But he could not and fell for it. After cleaning up the mess, I told him I would disconnect the system if he did it again. I think that fixed it
Click to expand...

Yup, that's the problem with the system - people who don't know better fall for all the tricks, even the simple "You won R10000000000000" adverts :(
 
Zertop said:
I would still go with Afrihost capped - as it is the easiest with upgrading/downloading packages and it will allow you to manage their account for them using the client zone :)

Check out afrihost.com - also, Openweb is very good but they don't offer bundles so you will still need to purchase a line from telkom :(
Click to expand...

Just seen that I sound like an Afrihost pr person :D I'm not btw - it's just that out of all the ISPs I've tried, they have been the best for me :)
 
Zertop said:
Just seen that I sound like an Afrihost pr person :D I'm not btw - it's just that out of all the ISPs I've tried, they have been the best for me :)
Click to expand...

Afrihost control panel works very well and the foreign dwelling OP could pay with his credit card. The OP's relatives already have a Telkom ?prepaid voice line. They or he can apply via Afrihost to get ADSL installed there for a bundled product. They can also purchase a router from someone like Incredible Connection which offers a call out service where the guy will come and install/set up the modem/router for them for a small fee, if they are not technically minded.

Afrihost will want a scan of the line owner's ID doc or password. The OP may have to arrange that.

Heck for Skype I'd go with a 1mb uncapped thing. It's more than enough.
 
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Space_Chief said:
Afrihost control panel works very well and the foreign dwelling OP could pay with his credit card. The OP's relatives already have a Telkom ?prepaid voice line. They or he can apply via Afrihost to get ADSL installed there. They can also purchase a router from someone like Incredible Connection which offers a call out service where the guy will come and install/set up the modem/router for them for a small fee, if they are not technically minded.
Click to expand...

Do they have a telkom prepaid line? You can't place adsl on a prepaid line :( @OP, the main factor why Internet in SA is so complicated is because of the need of Telkom to provide the facilities to connect. If there were other last mile providers, the interwebz will be much easier :) Also, I know you have already ruled out wireless, but why don't you take a look at a mobile solution. Again, I would have to recommend Afrihost Mobile - but make sure the area has good MTN signal before buying any devices.

Btw, Merry Christmas everyone :)
 
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