New to SA > What Internet Options ?

[rainbow84]

Hi all,
I'm to be based in Stellenbosch, South Africa to work for the next 6 months starting end of this month, and cannot absolutely live without internet access. I have no ideas on how many options do i have and how are each of thier service like (fast or not / costs ).

I'm living near the Stellenbosch University area, in a rented apartment.
Can any of you kindly tell me what options do i have and how much it costs?
I'll be bringing my own laptop there.

Sorry if it is at the wrong place to put this thread.

Hope to hear from you all soon !

 

[cavedog]

God bless you! If you are coming from a place with cheap unlimited internet! Here you will pay a hell lot more! I would suggest you get a Mweb all access account its a bit pricy but I beleive its uncapped local still as stated on their website. Then get a 1GB account somewhere els like openweb.

websites. openweb.co.za and mweb.co.za

You might want to look at do.co.za telkomsa.net axxess.co.za webafrica.co.za too for other options

 

[Shake&Bake]

I don't think ADSL is going to be a good option if the stay is only for 6months.
The installation costs alone would be a nightmare!

If rainbow84 has a decent cellphone with HDSPA or at least 3G, I think it would be viable to get prepaid bundles.
That being dependent on the needs that rainbow84 would have.

What kind of access are we on about here?
P2P apps, heavy downloading?
Or simple browsing and email with the odd download?

Oh and welcome to the forums rainbow84!

 

[gambithunt]

For only 6 months I would agree with the hspda idea.

 

[diabolus]

I'd go for a mobile solution [3G/HSDPA]. Stellenbosch is well covered with various technologies.

All you need : A 3G/HSDPA Modem (USB Type to plug into any desktop/laptop) that is not locked to a specific network. You can get them for about R1500-R2000 cash [+-170 EUR] here. If you got a 3G phone [acting as a modem] doing the same, you're also sorted.

Once you have the modem, i'd go with Vodacom Prepaid [it's the easiest to use over a long period] . You buy the simcard virtually anywhere [airport if you like] , activate it and then you buy airtime.
You then convert the airtime into data bundles [i usually do this online] . The data bundle lasts for 30 days and you lose remaining data on it. You can however use it up before 30 days and buy another one [with Vodacom anyway].
i.e. 1GB data = R289 = 23 EUR .

NOTE : you can use data services directly with the airtime [like you'd do in europe] without buying any bundles, but it's just insane expensive in comparison. Over a 6 month period i would not recommend this, maybe if you're here only a week then you can skip the bundle buying.

Then you simply recharge as you see fit, no contracts or commitments.

There's alternate providers like MTN as well, same story but i've found them very poor on the "user flexibility" side . With Vodacom you can do it all on the web, especially the part where you can buy a new bundle the moment you've used up your existing one...on MTN you're screwed, need a new sim or wait the full 30 days....


OH not sure where you're from, i've been to Europe recently and was on Vodafone Italy and some German Network [BLAU], used the 3G services via phone and it was freaking INSANE expensive. Literally checked email [via the web browser on my phone] and poof, 5 EUR gone... ..so if you're from there, good news is it's much cheaper here for the 3G stuff...

 

[Shake&Bake]

What he ^ said

 

[Shake&Bake]

@ rainbow84 - you could have a look at vodacom's pricing structures and the way to about things over here: http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/mobile_data/vodacom_what_cost.jsp

 

[rainbow84]

Ok.. hmm.. a lot of new jargons here for me to understand.
Where I am now, we have broadband unlimited internet access here which is pretty cheap at RM88 per month = USD 30

So, i guess i have to pay much more than that while im at Stellenbosch.
I take it that i will have to get a modem thingy which looks like a bluetooth where i can insert prepaid cards in.(Hopefully to ask company to provide me one.. i hope ) And i buy the prepaid cards (Brand name : Vodacom recommended? ).
Did i get that right?

I can buy however much i want, depending on how much i use?
I'm actually not sure how much i use usually as we have unlimited access here so i normally just leave my internet on the whole day.

Can you give me a rough idea of how much data i will be using per MONTH if i :
1) switch on my msn 24 hours with video cam on. (nice option to get in touch with my boyfriend but expensive one i suppose ) + blogging, surfing, email
2) msn 24 hours without video cam on. + blogging, surfing, email
3) msn on 5-8 hours per day + blogging, surfing, email
4) msn 5-8 hours per day, msn + video on weekends + blogging, surfing, email

 

[rainbow84]

And also, what are bundles?

 

[snail112]

Bundles are the size of data package (like 500MB, 1GB, 2GB, ect.) you want, to browse the net, download stuff, send e-mail, VOIP, Facebook, MSN, ...

 

[ldmelsa]

I'm from malaysia, we have broadband unlimited internet access here which is pretty cheap at RM88 per month = USD 30

wow

 

[diabolus]

So, i guess i have to pay much more than that while im at Stellenbosch.
I take it that i will have to get a modem thingy which looks like a bluetooth where i can insert prepaid cards in.(Hopefully to ask company to provide me one.. i hope ) And i buy the prepaid cards (Brand name : Vodacom recommended? ).
Did i get that right?

Yes, that's basically right.

Also, i don't know if you're coming as an exchange student , but note that the university itself have various internet facilities [especially if you're living in a dorm that is already on the network] . So i would make sure about that first before buying any modems.

Can you give me a rough idea of how much data i will be using per MONTH if i :
1) switch on my msn 24 hours with video cam on. (nice option to get in touch with my boyfriend but expensive one i suppose ) + blogging, surfing, email
2) msn 24 hours without video cam on. + blogging, surfing, email
3) msn on 5-8 hours per day + blogging, surfing, email
4) msn 5-8 hours per day, msn + video on weekends + blogging, surfing, email

Hard to say, but i would skip right past #1, too expensive. Video+Voice streaming for 24hrs per day...i wouldn't do that with this solution..ADSL is better/cheaper for that [but you need cables and all that].

MSN itself (text only) doesn't use alot of bandwidth, i see no reason to limit that. So options #2-#4 won't make a difference, Email+Surfing use ALOT more bandwidth than MSN, i would rather limit that . The heaviest bandwidth thing in your list is the -surfing- . Going on youtube to check some clip, blam 10MB right there..., opening your facebook profile with a zillion apps and stuff on it, blam another 5MB gone [and you haven't even done anything].

I'd say 500MB-1GB should be sufficient and you'll be able to do MSN Video Cam stuff [not 24hrs a day though] without too many worries.

So i'd suggest start with 500MB and see for first month. If you limit that webcam you'll be able to be fine with that.

As i said 1GB = +-25 EUR = +-45 USD .

 

[boramk]

Either way, we are EXPENSIVE.

 

[Srack0verflow]

hope you'll enjoy your stay though, welcome

 

[Shake&Bake]

Those Malaysian prices drive me to tears

We are expensive so a trial run on Vodacom's 500mb package may be good to start with and then buy more as you go along.

But an ADSL connection for a 6 month stay is not worth it.
An uncapped solution is way too much money.

Rather grab yourself a nice 3G/HSDPA cellphone on that side and then get a simcard, purchase airtime and then convert to a data bundle. (As described in the link I previously posted).

Hope that helps, but please do ask more questions if you need some advice - there are plenty of resources here

 

[rainbow84]

Also, i don't know if you're coming as an exchange student , but note that the university itself have various internet facilities [especially if you're living in a dorm that is already on the network] . So i would make sure about that first before buying any modems.

working here, they only provide me the apartment but not these extra stuffs

Either way, we are EXPENSIVE.

Tell me that >.<

hope you'll enjoy your stay though, welcome

Thanks At least there is internet available, i've been to places without internet and i feel so.. outdated

Those Malaysian prices drive me to tears

Now i appreciate it more Thanks guys, you are all very helpful.
I have a 3G phone, but it is not exactly friendly to use a phone to surf the internet. My phone is Sony Ericsson W910i. Rather hard to surf with that.

Do you mean i can use my phone as a modem? What's the difference between using a phone and using a real modem as a modem?

 

[Shake&Bake]

Now i appreciate it more Thanks guys, you are all very helpful.
I have a 3G phone, but it is not exactly friendly to use a phone to surf the internet. My phone is Sony Ericsson W910i. Rather hard to surf with that.

Do you mean i can use my phone as a modem? What's the difference between using a phone and using a real modem as a modem?

Yes, use the phone as a modem.

Once you're at the aiport - or you could get it from any Vodacom retail store - there are sure to be plenty in Stellenbosch

So you'll need a 3G simcard - can't think of the cost now, but its minimal.

Then the simcard in your phone and then purchase pre-paid airtime and then you can convert that to bandwidth.
Conversion from normal airtime gets done via the Vodacom Menu options - I forget how to access the menu's as its been a long time, but someone here will likely post it or you could simply ask the people in store to show you how its done.

Once you've got the bundles of data on your simcard, hook the phone up to the laptop and you're on your way.

Seeing that the phone has HSDPA connectivity, you'll get decent speeds - South African related speeds anyway

So have a look at this link.
Scroll down to "Prepaid and Top Up data bundles" and have a look at the pricing structures.

EDIT: Having a look at Vodacom's Coverage Map, you're quite well covered in that area for 3G.

 

[rainbow84]

Hi all,
I am now in Stellenbosch since last week.
But still no internet!
The problem is, i went to Eikestad Mall's MTN shop. And i plan to get a MTN data bundle of 1G or 2G.
But before that, i will need a modem. But because i do not have a modem, i plan to use my phone (Sony Ericsson W910i) as my modem.
I did not bring my phone's software CD and cable here, so i went to buy one at a mobile phone shop nearby (cost me 80rand, please tell me i'm not overcharged).
I got the CD and cable back to the MTN shop, and ask them to help me get connected.
The guy over there tried to install the software CD (which says its for K800 but the mobilephone shop guy says it works for W910i as well)
All in all, after installing, i connect my phone to the cable and then to the laptop, it doesnt work when i open my laptop's Internet Explorer.
Do i have to activate anything else? Or it just knows that my phone is acting as a modem?
Sorry for the long story... the main point is, i got the cable, my phone as modem, and my laptop, and a MTN sim card with Airtime of 10rand for testing purposes in it. When i tried to surf using my phone, it works. But how do i make it work on my laptop as well?
Thanks in advance

 

[Daveogg]

Hi all,
I am now in Stellenbosch since last week.
But still no internet!
The problem is, i went to Eikestad Mall's MTN shop. And i plan to get a MTN data bundle of 1G or 2G.
But before that, i will need a modem. But because i do not have a modem, i plan to use my phone (Sony Ericsson W910i) as my modem.
I did not bring my phone's software CD and cable here, so i went to buy one at a mobile phone shop nearby (cost me 80rand, please tell me i'm not overcharged).
I got the CD and cable back to the MTN shop, and ask them to help me get connected.
The guy over there tried to install the software CD (which says its for K800 but the mobilephone shop guy says it works for W910i as well)
All in all, after installing, i connect my phone to the cable and then to the laptop, it doesnt work when i open my laptop's Internet Explorer.
Do i have to activate anything else? Or it just knows that my phone is acting as a modem?
Sorry for the long story... the main point is, i got the cable, my phone as modem, and my laptop, and a MTN sim card with Airtime of 10rand for testing purposes in it. When i tried to surf using my phone, it works. But how do i make it work on my laptop as well?
Thanks in advance

Just one point, you did not mention anything about actually making the connection. Your phone has to dial the data connection. The number is something like #99**1. Once you connect your phone to your pc and the SE software is launched their should be somewhere to click on connect. If you get this far but then get an error message, then post the error number here and we can try help further.

 

[rainbow84]

Just one point, you did not mention anything about actually making the connection. Your phone has to dial the data connection. The number is something like #99**1. Once you connect your phone to your pc and the SE software is launched their should be somewhere to click on connect. If you get this far but then get an error message, then post the error number here and we can try help further.

Hi thanks a lot for your input.
I managed to get my phone working as a modem. After detecting the phone with bluetooth to my laptop, i actually got to Create a New Connection and choose the PAN.
It's all working good now
I managed to get online for about 15 mins yesterday and suddenly the line got cut off. I tried to connect back it doesnt work. Phone not working when i tried to log in google either. Must be MTN signal is not that strong there.
Hmm.. is Vodacom or MTN 's 3G signal better in Stellenbosch?