Neotel NeoConnect put to the test

Not really a whole bunch unexpected based on the couple of threads we've seen recently. Like pkid the fact that it's USB only bugs me somewhat and the "No calls while surfing/no surfing while calling" makes me think of dialup again.

I'll still have a go at using them as it's a) cheaper than Telkom b) faster (for me at least) and c) Not Telkom. For me that's enough but a lot of people won't go for it.

I think NeoTel is going to have to sweeten the deal considerably to pull enough users to make it viable.
 
It is faaaar too pricey to generate any real interest from me.

As it is, it expoits Telkoms high ADSL rates to "create" a "competitive" package.

I have sufficient broadband access at this kind of cost at work, and won't need this pricey service at home. I can spend R500 per month much better.

Will reconsider when all the packages are out - maybe there will then be something I'm interested in.

Also the lack of an Ethernet unit is not good.
 
AntiThesis said:
Not really a whole bunch unexpected based on the couple of threads we've seen recently. Like pkid the fact that it's USB only bugs me somewhat and the "No calls while surfing/no surfing while calling" makes me think of dialup again.

I'll still have a go at using them as it's a) cheaper than Telkom b) faster (for me at least) and c) Not Telkom. For me that's enough but a lot of people won't go for it.

I think NeoTel is going to have to sweeten the deal considerably to pull enough users to make it viable.
Click to expand...

That is for sure.

No calls while surfing? Sis. :(
 
This might be good for those unlucky enough to have been placed on Telkoms waiting list, but unfortunately they won't be getting my e-mail, because:

Unknown cap foactor.
Latency far too high.
Connection speed just too unstable and slow, especially upload speeds.
Price, well we knew they were not going to go into a price war.
USB not an option.
Use either voice OR internet - back to the old 56k dial-up days, no thanks, what's the point.

I must say I am dissapointed, I was realy hoping to get rid of the beast, but untel NeoTel improves their offering, my soul will belong to the devil which is Telkom...
 
Here i am, sitting behind my laptop on a monday morning reading the mentioned article completely flabbergasted by the sheer narrowminded "test results" posted by the author. Particularly this bit

Local latency ranged between 150 ms and 700 ms, with most high latency results coming from Verizon servers. Ping times to servers on the Internet Solutions, MWEB and Telkom networks were typically between 150 ms and 200 ms.
Click to expand...

So just by running the ping command of a random workstation one assumes that thats the best its gonna get ? No further research whatsoever ?

One would assume that a traceroute or pathping would be performed to see EXACTLY where the high latency comes from, weather its on Neotel or the destination host. Weather its a capacity issue or simply lack of peers.


Neotel WILL succeed, narrow minded whiners should just be patient.


And no, i am not in any way affiliated with Neotel. Infact im a happy Telkom/Vodafone 3G customer with no complaints.
Click to expand...
 
dotnerd said:
Neotel WILL succeed, narrow minded whiners should just be patient.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find we all HOPE that it will succeed, but with an offering such as that with such fundamental flaws as not being able to surf and make calls at the same time, they have a long long way to go.
 
Well there's a reason why its called a TEST. As long as its not officially launched you cant expect anything.
 
i emailed them about the trial, got this response:

Dear xxx xxxxxx

Thank you for your interest in Neotel.

As can be imagined, we are targeting a relatively limited trial of our services and will accordingly have to be very selective in the trial customers that we choose.

This choice will be based on various factors, including ensuring a reasonable spread across the various geographical areas we are covering and across the various segments that the initial services are aimed at.

We are currently limiting our trials in Johannesburg and Pretoria, in order for us to focus on ensuring that the service offerings are aligned to the customer’s requirements. Nevertheless, our initial commercial services roll-out (scheduled for immediately after the completion of the current pilot) includes Cape Town. We will be happy to keep you informed as and when we are closer to rolling out services in Cape Town

If you are interested in being considered for Neotel’s residential trial services you can write to Neotel at [email protected] providing your name, full residential address, and area, city and contact details.

Neotel will contact you if you are selected for the residential trial services, but we will also keep you informed of the roll-out of the commercial services even if you are not selected for the trial services. We would also like to contact you to better understand your requirements and expectations, so that we can ensure that our commercial product is well aligned.

We look forward to your continued support.


Best Regards,

xxxxxx

Neotel Customer Service Team

Tel: 0800 333 636
Fax: 0866 566 839
 
Early days but the results sound mediocre at best . . . they should fit in nicely.
 
hj2k_x said:
Are they not TESTING the product they intend to launch then? :confused:
Click to expand...

Offcourse they are! It just wouldnt make sense to see if the Grapes are ripe if your selling Apples now would it ?

Imagine this, they get allot of feedback from customers stating that the local response times are too high to a specific network (eg. Verizon) then before the actual launch Neotel could arrange extra or appropriate peering s with that network. Now if this was the launch Neotel would not have had the opportunity to smoothen things up a bit.
 
Well i just phoned them to see about getting in the trial or hell just the final product early.

From the conversation.
Product costs R499.
This includes.
Service rental, device rental, email and internet access.
Bandwidth has to be bought afterwards as its a "non recurring fee"....so you have to buy your bandwidth on top of the R499 that you pay to get connected....sounds very much like telkoms adsl right now.

Calls are 75c regardless of peak or off peak. If your call is under a minute the call is billed per second.
SMS's are 29c per sms to any network.

The current trial and product will be released it seems only in joburg and pretoria at the moment. The consultant was unsure when it was going to be released in cape town but hopefully he will keep me updated... Hopefully :P

All in all i am highly disappointed. R500 for a service that is at most just a telephone at that point and to use it for internet access I still have to purchase bandwidth is quite disappointing to say the least.

I've been holding out on my new place to get a new internet connection but from this conversation it seems the best choice will still be to go iburst or adsl :/


Where is the supposed savior of telco consumers today?
baah
 
Terrible download speed... :( But since telkom infrastructure isn't available in my complex, I think Neotel will be my only solution for now...
 
Oh forgot to mention a little bit of a positive.
The switchboard operator that handled my initial call was very helpful and actually knew about the products but referred me to a sales consultant.
The sales consultant was very knowledgeable and helpful. I was on hold for no longer than 10 seconds before going through to him.

+3 in my books to neotel for the way their consultants handle themselves :)
Just hope it stays like this when they get their final product out of the front door.
 
FaNIX said:
Terrible download speed... :( But since telkom infrastructure isn't available in my complex, I think Neotel will be my only solution for now...
Click to expand...

This is my issue as well. Due to the way our complex was built it's next to impossible to get a Telkom line installed.

While Neotel isn't the only option available to me (currently using HSDPA) it might work out cheaper per gig........ hopefully. :rolleyes:

My main issue is latency. I want to be able to play COD4 or BF2 or whatever. If the can give me that I'd gladly pay whatever they ask. But I'm not keeping my hopes up. :(

PS: rpm, what's the chance you guys can try a couple of games online? Try gaming on the Saix, IS and the iBurts gaming servers?
 
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Hi Guys

Is Neotel now going to offer the line and the ISP part ? Is so what will happen
to all the ISPs like MWEb , WebAfrica etc ?

THanks
DD
 
dd1313 said:
Hi Guys

Is Neotel now going to offer the line and the ISP part ? Is so what will happen
to all the ISPs like MWEb , WebAfrica etc ?

THanks
DD
Click to expand...

Think that they would simply resell the Neotel services? Dont forget that not everyone would switch to a newcomer. Infact a company like neotel might even sell data packages to them, it saves them the admin hell :)
 
dd1313 said:
Hi Guys

Is Neotel now going to offer the line and the ISP part ? Is so what will happen
to all the ISPs like MWEb , WebAfrica etc ?

THanks
DD
Click to expand...

What did they do when HSDPA and iBurst came along?
 
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