Newbie looking for Home ADSL

[jyzelle]

Hi all
I am in the process of searching for decent ADSL for medium web browsing and email only (No online gaming, Voice data functionality etc.)
There's so many options available, and for a newbie like myself, the information can be overwhelming.
I had a look at:
DoBroadband Level 1 (Impressive ?! )
Some IBurst options (Have heard that the quality of connection is not that good )

The reason Im opting for ADSL is that I will not be doing any traveling, therefore do not need 3G etc. which is more expensive / Meg anyway.

Any suggestions please.

 

[NetSpike]

Since you're not traveling, ADSL will be your best choice.

For browsing and email you can get the cheapest ADSL service - 384Mbps (this should be enough, you can always upgrade later to 512Mbps or 4096Mbps).

You also need cap, which is the capacity that you're allowed to download and upload per month. You can look at TelkomInternet's 1GB or 2GB options (the cap that you don't use, you loose) or get prepaid cap from Axxess.co.za or WebAfrica.co.za (with prepaid cap what you don't use is carried over to the next month and you can just purchase cap as you require).

I'll go with an ADSL router, not a modem.

Yes, with wireless you might have a bad reception depending where you live and may be more expensive per meg.

 

[jyzelle]

Thanks for the reply NetSpike
My next question: Is DoBroadband reliable, they dont seem so, reading some of the posts on this website.
I want to opt for them, as Id like a carry over structured package for my cap.

 

[Leftfoot]

My mom has DO1 form telkom and has had no problems, I have DO3 and it seems very solid for what you want to use it for. Also consider the Closer packages in combination with DO1.....dependant on your landline phone usage. For me its saving about R200 per month as opposed to "no closer." Last time I checked you still get a free router with a 2 year contract. People tend to advise against a contract here although I have had one for 4 years and have no complaints. To date no-one has given me a valid reason why a contract is such a bad thing.

One of the only downsides with telkom at the mo is the support, you wait quite a while on the phone but in the end I have been assisted on most occasions.

 

[NetSpike]

Alright... You'll have to get your line (if you don't have one) and a 384Mbps ADSL service activated on that line - call 10219 for this.

The Do packages uses TelkomInternet, which does not carry over cap. You need to go for a prepaid cap package at Axxess.co.za or WebAfrica.co.za, which carries over unused cap to the next month.

Then you need to buy an ADSL router at a computer shop. The Do packages include an ADSL router and non-carry over cap as mentioned above. I'm not such a big fan of the routers that come from Telkom - rather go for a D-Link one, which you buy yourself.

Set it all up and you're ready to go. The activation from Telkom for the ADSL service might take a while though.

 

[Leftfoot]

The activation from Telkom for the ADSL service might take a while though.

...although some, including myself have had theirs activated in 2 days. I would advise going to a telkom shop to get this done, most are quite quick with activations, and you have a face that you can bug should you not get the service.

 

[jyzelle]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I think I might go for the DO1 (R199/m) + line rental (R111.90/m) and that should be ok for me to do some medium surfing, I just wonder how long Ill actually be able to surf, as Im used to work internet with no limit ?!

 

[ColinR]

I just wonder how long Ill actually be able to surf, as Im used to work internet with no limit ?!

Its the age old question;

You'll be able to surf for the whole month, if you stay within your 1GB. If you're an 'average' consumer - not a tech person, 1GB should be ok, perhaps even too much.

A cousin of mine bought her 1GB prepaid which she has been using over the last 4 months.

 

[skig]

I saw Mweb has a special at the moment....

R179p/m for 1GB plus the line....

I'm on Axxess (www.axxess.co.za) for my adsl line itself (R139 p/m, no data), which is cheaper than Telkom's R159p/m (no data). On Axxess one can buy 1GB for R69, which rolls over every month (also saves me money if I'm out of town a lot, in stead of pyaig for data i don't use).

 

[Leftfoot]

I just wonder how long Ill actually be able to surf, as Im used to work internet with no limit ?!

Most months you are able to get close to double your cap without being cut off ie if you have 1G account you will possibly get 1.7-2G out

Anyway, if you do go over and get capped, you can just puschase a topup for R79 per Gig. WebAfrica and others can also supply top-ups.