Neotel NeoConnect comparison

[hj2k_x]

It's closer to 3 times dialup speed and remember that it'll be on the same network that the prime people are using so you should almost always get your peak speeds.

The fact that we are comparing it to dial up already means it is a concern.

 

[Weasley]

the only packages worth looking at are the unlimited one's the other one are to expensive for my liking

 

[Chevron]

The fact that we are comparing it to dial up already means it is a concern.

Why?

You were arguing with me that the lower end of the spectrum isn't catered for. Well let me tell you the lower end of the spectrum doesn't care about speed. I work at an isp myself.

The people that use dial up use it for emails and browsing. That's it. So 156kbps is quite a bit faster than the 30-40kbps that they're used to.

That's also why it's called "lite". If you want speed you have to pay for it.

 

[hj2k_x]

Why?

You were arguing with me that the lower end of the spectrum isn't catered for. Well let me tell you the lower end of the spectrum doesn't care about speed. I work at an isp myself.

The people that use dial up use it for emails and browsing. That's it. So 156kbps is quite a bit faster than the 30-40kbps that they're used to.

That's also why it's called "lite". If you want speed you have to pay for it.

Hehe, not another debate

Well 2 x dialup is unacceptably slow if you ask me. Even for checking email and browsing. Today's pages with graphics, pictures and videos will take an age to even load at those speeds.

 

[albert123]

I think we all need to wait until they release their ADSL offerings. If Telkom reduce prices and increase speeds any time soon then Neotel are going to be a long long way behind.

i agree, u cant compare the 2 really at the moment, telkom 4mbps adsl will run circles around that up to 2.4mbps connection ...

 

[rpm]

I will have to test again, but the P2P speeds seemed slower than standard surfing. It is however dependant on many factors (like seeds etc) - some files came down rather fast, others took a very long time...

 

[Pilgrim]

I think for now it is. They still have to pay for international bandwidth - they have no say over pricing here. International BW prices are still very high and not much anyone (exept Telkom) can do about it...

vs.

Neotel said that its negotiations to gain access to the SAT3 landing station are progressing well. The company previously indicated that it will leverage the VSNL shareholding in SAT3 to provide its clients with more affordable bandwidth on the cable, and that access to the SAT3 landing station will complete the picture.

Strange that AFTER they got access to the Sat3 landing station they lost all ability to "leverage the VSNL shareholding in SAT3 to provide its clients with more affordable bandwidth"

Big surprise there...

 

[SonicApe]

just to shoot off at a tangent here, does anyone have an idea as to which areas are hot (live) at the moment for neotel coverage?

 

[Keeper]

just to shoot off at a tangent here, does anyone have an idea as to which areas are hot (live) at the moment for neotel coverage?

Yeah i wanna know too - I live in Kempton Park.

I would certainly spend R999 on 2.4MB/s Uncapped.

 

[Tux]

I will have to test again, but the P2P speeds seemed slower than standard surfing. It is however dependant on many factors (like seeds etc) - some files came down rather fast, others took a very long time...

careful with comments like that oom rpm, the RIAA might sue you for admitting you downloaded stuff off of a P2P network

 

[jak]

Unfortunately not a fair comparison.
Telkoms on net minutes are useable, But Neotels arent (untill enough people switch)
Neotels service also simply isnt practical enough for me to even consider switching to them.

Their communication skills are also in my experience far worse.

I had so much hope for them. Pity

 

[Keeper]

careful with comments like that oom rpm, the RIAA might sue you for admitting you downloaded stuff off of a P2P network

*sigh*....senior members....

It's not illegal to "admit to download" or even to download from P2P. RPM was probably downloading UBUNTU/etc.....

 

[Keeper]

Unfortunately not a fair comparison.
Telkoms on net minutes are useable, But Neotels arent (untill enough people switch)
Neotels service also simply isnt practical enough for me to even consider switching to them.

Their communication skills are also in my experience far worse.

I had so much hope for them. Pity

Yeah...and the people said "DAMN...P2P is a good technology, but unfortunatly not enough people are using it.."

If it's Uncapped at 2.4Mb/s for R999, i'll get it! The "Free minutes" etc are just a bonus anyway.

en as hy R100 is, is hy nogsteeds 'n bargain!

 

[Tns]

the unlimited part does sound good.....

 

[Just_Ice]

the unlimited part does sound good.....

True

 

[kaspaas]

A few remarks:

The "lite" options are obviously meant to be attractive to people who currently still use dial-up - like my parents. To them it would seem to be blazing fast.

Neotel's geographical coverage as well as the absence of a decent map detailing coverage makes me wonder if they were really ready to roll out or if they could not afford another delay in rolling out due to credibility issues.

It is obvious from the pricing comparison - looking at data only - that Neotel does offer value - provided they deliver what they promise, and they actually provide better coverage.

The phone units seem to be quite "primitive", or is it rather "basic". No concurrent data and voice, and no Ethernet with switch/firewall combo, and no black box into which one could plug one's favourite cordless phone.

Maybe in 6 months. Let them first sort out the gremlins and I won't touch it unless there is a decent ethernet based modem. I'm not interested in USB at all.

 

[burntproduce]

eh? Am i missing something about the IS ADSL fibre uncapped offering? 5 grand for a 1 mbps line? how does that work?

 

[Mangoman20]

PR and contract doesnt tie up

I was about to sign on the dotted line UNTIL I read the contract...

RPM, in your article you state:

While all of the services are linked to a 24-month contract, the company has said that consumers can cancel their contract at any stage and will only be held liable for the device cost. This “best of both worlds” approach makes it easier for new users to enter the market while still giving the freedom of a standard month-to-month Internet and voice contract.

However in their T&C's that you sign on they say:

If customer elects to cancel or disconnect any service during the applicable Order Term, Customer shall pay to Neotel the following as liquidated damages:

a. the monthly fees for the balance of the remaining Contract Term or three months, whichever is the greater

So the two arent tying up.

Now what ?

 

[Logo]

Compare oranges with oranges

I read through this thread and what a number of people are missing is the fact that this is not ADSL. The Neoconnect offers are CDMA meaning cellphone technology. So the only proper comparison is between Neotel and the other wireless/cellphone providers.

So R 599 compared to Vodacom 10gb @ R2049 and iBurst Addict's @ R 1139 is the only proper comparison. And Neotel being cheaper by 50% is damn good. Infact being able to get uncapped unshaped connections at even less than Vodacom and iBurst is charging for 10gb is very good.

Neotel has always mantained that they will in future offer true broadband service but they have to wait for the Loclal Loop unbundling. Instead of screaming and shouting at Neotel rather complain to Telkom and Government for dragging their feet on this. The longer it takes for the LLU the more profits Telkom is making, you see where I am going with this.

@RPM: Can you give us some indications of the speed that you are getting not only P2P but general browsing and normal HTTP downloads as well.

And no I am not a Neotel employee.

 

[Logo]

eh? Am i missing something about the IS ADSL fibre uncapped offering? 5 grand for a 1 mbps line? how does that work?

This is not ADSL it is fibre, you will need a fibre router or modem for this, which is rahter expensive and is included in the contract price that is why it is so expensive. Also add to this price a R 1500 setup fee.

Last time I checked IS does have a uncapped ADSL offering and it costs about
R 2500 for a 1Mb line.