new ADSL order

[ricahrd]

Hello,

I am based in the UK but am trying to help out a non-technical friend get connected in SA. I have read a lot of info here and there on the costs and procedures for getting ADSL and it seems very long winded.

Am I correct in thinking that if you went with Telkom Internet's 4GB Unshaped product it would cost 699 + Telkom's 477 for a 512k service? What if you just paid the 477 for the service? Telkom's order form is crap, it doesn't even ask you what service you want, just whether you want a modem or not?! http://www.telkom.co.za/app/dslclientorderform/

Telkom's price list is laid out as if you have one or the other: http://www.telkom.co.za/common/pricelist/prices/local/adsl.html not both, but the blurb on the online order form https://online.telkomsa.net/external/ says "Please note that this excludes the once off installation fee and monthly line rental you will be liable for once you have ordered the ADSL service. The pricing supplied in this table only applies to the monthly TelkomInternet subscription.".

Are there better ISP's than Telkom's own Internet arm and can you provide a shortlist of the good ones? This site just seems to be full of news, no list of providers or anything? Is there a site which lists providers? Do you always have to order the ADSL service in 2 bits (with Telkom and the service provider)?

Thanks for any help you can offer,
Richard.

 

[Kalvaer]

Most is explained here

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=24418

Though, Yes. You need to pay your ISP, and a line rental fee. Either both from telkom (but telkom will tell you that TelkomISP has nothing to do with telkom btw even if you get billed by the same company on the same invoice), or line rental from telkom, and then a different ISP.

I know there is a list of providers here as well other than those mentioned in the link above, Hopefull somebody will post it

 

[arf9999]

To get ADSL in SA you need the following (apart from an existing phone line connected to an ADSL enabled exchange):

1. You need to order a DSL enabled line and pay the monthly ADSL "line rental" as well as R404 once off for "installation" from Telkom. This may take some time...
Different prices for different speeds as follows -
1024Kbps=R680
512kbps=R477
384kbps=R359
192kbps=270

2. You need an ADSL router or modem - I suggest that you get one from another supplier, don't buy into the telkom "2-year contract and modem for free" story - it is a ripoff.

3.You need an ISP account. TelkomInternet is one of the suppliers, but there are plenty - try www.hellkom.co.za for more info. The following ISPs get good reviews on myADSL (but YMMV): WebAfrica, SAOL, OpenWeb. Prices vary according to the type and size of the account (Shaped, Unshaped, 1GB-30GB)

 

[ricahrd]

thanks both for the excellent replies. I don't usually like signing up directly to the operator and I laughed at their so-called "bundled" deals which is quite stupid in my opinion.

I sent them off with a DG834 so they're sorted for hardware, although they may need additional filters.

It was more for some provider names and now I have those I should be sorted.

cheers for the clarification,
Richard.