MTN options for HSDPA modem

[Vundla]

Hi there,

I've seached the MTN website but am battling with some information - if anyone out there can advise, I'd appreciate it very much.

My dad in law lives on a Karoo farm but spends a lot of time online (albeit not very data-hungry, mainly financial websites and email). Telkom dismantled the copper lines and installed some wireless phone setup, since landlines were continuously giving hassles. The result is that he can not get ADSL

He is on MTN pay as you go (or rather some R75 per month airtime bundle). MTN reception on the farm is ok, but vodacom is poor. He would like an always-on internet connection, even if not particularly fast, and will not use much data. I reckon 500MB per month is more than ample, half that probably sufficient.

What are the options? He uses a desktop PC. I've advised perhaps getting a F@stLink E220 HSDPA Modem, and buying data bundles (or even a low bandwidth contract). There are some seemingly expensive 24mth options available with a bundled modem. It is probably better for him to buy the modem (USB) and buy data bundles separately.

Can anyone help?

What is the cost of the modem on its own (he wont get hsdpa, but at least GPRS or even something faster dep. on signal)

What are the data options?

Or is there a low-cost 24mth contract available that includes the modem, and max 500MB per month? Not interested in the 1-2 gig options as simply not needed.

Please advise, much appreciated

 

[Pitbull]

I would suggest the following.

He can take a Top-up 75 Contract for R 75.00 a month.
With that he kan get a E220 free. He get allocated R 75 worth of airtime every month. Then just add a 500MB bundle.

Thats my suggestion.

 

[Vundla]

I would suggest the following.

He can take a Top-up 75 Contract for R 75.00 a month.
With that he kan get a E220 free. He get allocated R 75 worth of airtime every month. Then just add a 500MB bundle.

Thats my suggestion.

Thanks very much Pitbull. I have never seen a package at that price which includes a 3G / hsdpa device but will investigate. Do you know from which service provider? Must double check what kind of package the current R75 one is, I think it is month to month and not a fixed term contract. Thanks again - if indeed possible then this is exactly what he needs. Any other suggestions remain welcome though. Cheers

 

[Pitbull]

Thanks very much Pitbull. I have never seen a package at that price which includes a 3G / hsdpa device but will investigate. Do you know from which service provider? Must double check what kind of package the current R75 one is, I think it is month to month and not a fixed term contract. Thanks again - if indeed possible then this is exactly what he needs. Any other suggestions remain welcome though. Cheers

MTNSP.

The modems are available on that package

 

[Voldemort]

you mentioned that he stays in a farm in the karoo, speed wont be good at all ey.

 

[Vundla]

you mentioned that he stays in a farm in the karoo, speed wont be good at all ey.

Right, but speed wont be so much an issue at all - more important is connectivity and not having to worry about sending or receiving a 2 gig image file! I am on the farm right now and connecting via vodacom - poor signal but when it runs its acceptable (tells me 115kbps connection but probably more like 10 kbps in reality).
cheers

 

[JJF]

Hi Vundla,

Just a sugestion, the E220 cannot take an external antenna, and if the reception is relatively poor, he might need or want a decent antenna. Even here in the city many people need an proper antenna to get proper signal.

Just keep that in mind. The E620 does have an antenna port, but unfortunately does not fit onto a destop that easily. Maybe use a router?

Any way, just thought I would mention that.

Regards,
JJF.

 

[Vundla]

Thanks for the advice on the antennae. The idea would be to test it first with a loan (?) unit to see if the desktop model works on its own. The idea of a router is of course good but in this instance (technological and financial feasibility) probably not an option - and no-one around if something goes pear shaped.

Have just found out that the ocntract still runs for a year or so - does anyone have prices for the USB unit on its own - without a contract? If it comes "free" with a R75 contract then assume it must be well under R1,5k on its own, not?

Thanks for any advice, as always.

 

[Syndyre]

The cash price seems to range from R2000-R2500 depending on where you buy it, someone said Incredible Connection had a special on for R1999 cash but I haven't seen it myself.

 

[Vundla]

The cash price seems to range from R2000-R2500 depending on where you buy it, someone said Incredible Connection had a special on for R1999 cash but I haven't seen it myself.

Thanks!
This seems a bit strange though (not that I don't believe you), but if MTN providers are giving it out "free" on a 24mth R75 top up contract (as stated by others earlier), then a quick calculation will reveal that it is cheaper to go that option (and that's before making use of the R75 credit, which I'm sure you could use to buy data?). I am still searching for a MTN newspaper advert, used to see so many in recent weeks advertising bundles. The website is of no use as the prices "advertised" seem far higher - the aftermarket seems to be discounting them more aggressively..

 

[Dr_Data]

Thanks!
This seems a bit strange though (not that I don't believe you), but if MTN providers are giving it out "free" on a 24mth R75 top up contract (as stated by others earlier), then a quick calculation will reveal that it is cheaper to go that option (and that's before making use of the R75 credit, which I'm sure you could use to buy data?). I am still searching for a MTN newspaper advert, used to see so many in recent weeks advertising bundles. The website is of no use as the prices "advertised" seem far higher - the aftermarket seems to be discounting them more aggressively..

Hi

Currently the cheapest option to go with regard to data is the E220 USB on the Mychoice 75 or Mychoice 75 Topup. The reason why the card is given on these reduced contracts and seem much more expensive with regard to outright purchases is because MTN is trying to promote Data and would rather have data users over a fixed period then once off, thus making the contract offers much more appealing

Difference between these two contracts:

Mychoice 75: R75 per month subscription, once the R75 is used up, it bills as a normal contract. Monthly allocated amount of R75 can be used on Data,voice,SMS

Mychoice 75 Topup: R75 per month subscription. Once the R75 is used up, the only way to continue with usage is to purchase prepaid airtime and load it as a normal prepaid sub.
(normally for individuals who want to keep a lid on usage).Monthly allocated amount of R75 to be used on Data,voice,SMS


With both of the above mentioned contracts, the data card is free (No additional pay in fee required.) You will get an amount of R75 per month to utilise on any service voice,SMS,Data. If this is calculated for data @R2 per MB, it is equivalent to approx 37.5 MB. This R75 rand value that is provisioned for monthly cannot be used to purchase data bundles unfortunately. The bundle needs to be added on to the monthly sub.

For e.g. If you load a 350MB bundle. It will be R75 (monthly sub) + R210.00 (350MB Data bundle) totalling R285.

Also remember that the bundle does not carry over monthly. But the R75 will indefnitely until the end of the contract. There is no limit to accumulation. Also remember that once all 350Mb are utilised within the month, the out bundle rate of R 1.50 will apply. This means that the R75 you have left over can be used, but each MB wil be R1.5 instead of R2. Meaning that the R75 now equates to 50MB.

Look on this link to see how each package differs with the outbundle rate.
http://www.mtn.co.za/?pid=248769

Also remember here that the bundle price quoted is an addition to the R75 on the contract that has to be taken to get the E220 free.

Hope this makes things clearer.

If you need this contract simply dial 083 123 door. They will deliver the goods to you.

Regards
DD

 

[Voldemort]

wowsas, what he said

 

[Dr_Data]

wowsas, what he said

Huh ???