PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE!

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Zah1

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I'm relatively new to the internet world and was hoping you guys would be able to help me choose an internet package suitable for me.

I have been buying 600 megs Vodacom data bundles, but am finding that this is no longer enough as I watch quite a few Youtube videos. More about my internet usage and what I require :

- I don't want to be tied down to a contract.

- I think I would need about 1.5 gigs a month, mostly just to browse and for Youtube.

- I need speeds of nothing less than 460 kbs.

- I can't decide between using a Usb modem or a wireless router. If you recommend either, please explain which one to get.

- I have heard of Cybersmart. Mweb, Neotel etc. Have you had experience with any of these ISP's or can you recommend any?

Please advise, it would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Cell C is launching some packages this month

R999 once off payment and you get 2GB a month for 12months... 7.2mbps HSDPA
OR
R1999 once off payment and you get 5GB a month for 12months. 21mbps HSDPA

They look like good deal, not sure about coverage but it is really well priced
 
If you can answer these questions, we can help you a bit better:
- What is your monthly budget?
- Do you need your internet connection to go with you (i.e. be mobile)?
- If you don't need to be mobile, I would recommend ADSL. But then do you already have a Telkom phone line on account (i.e. not prepaid)?
- 1.5GB is a very small amount for for ADSL. Perhaps you might be interested in uncapped (200GB plus per month!)
- You said you need a download speed of 460kbs. Do you mean 460 kilobytes per second, or 460 kilobits per second? If you meant the former, then a 4mbps ADSL line might just be good enough for you. Theoretical max speed is 512 KB/s, and actual max speed is about 430 KB/s.

I'd recommend ADSL any day over any wireless technology, epsecially if you are looking for stability, and high cap / high usage or uncapped internet. ADSL is also available on a month to month basis. No contracts.

Whatever you do, stay away from Neotel, and be wary of joining up with iBurst. In general, I'd be wary of signing any long term contracts (like the 24month HSDPA contracts from MTN/Vodacom).
 
Thanks for the responses thus far. I have just heard about the Cell C package, it would be ideal for me if it does come out.

iCubed.Saajid said:
If you can answer these questions, we can help you a bit better:
- What is your monthly budget?
- Do you need your internet connection to go with you (i.e. be mobile)?
- If you don't need to be mobile, I would recommend ADSL. But then do you already have a Telkom phone line on account (i.e. not prepaid)?
- 1.5GB is a very small amount for for ADSL. Perhaps you might be interested in uncapped (200GB plus per month!)
- You said you need a download speed of 460kbs. Do you mean 460 kilobytes per second, or 460 kilobits per second? If you meant the former, then a 4mbps ADSL line might just be good enough for you. Theoretical max speed is 512 KB/s, and actual max speed is about 430 KB/s.

I'd recommend ADSL any day over any wireless technology, epsecially if you are looking for stability, and high cap / high usage or uncapped internet. ADSL is also available on a month to month basis. No contracts.

Whatever you do, stay away from Neotel, and be wary of joining up with iBurst. In general, I'd be wary of signing any long term contracts (like the 24month HSDPA contracts from MTN/Vodacom).
Click to expand...

- I'm not able to spend more than R250 pm.

- I prefer to be mobile as I am hoping to get a netbook soon, which means I'll probably take it everywhere I go. I also just have a prepaid Telkom line. But if the cheaper options are Adsl, I will be willing to get a fixed line. Not sure what the costs are though,or the waiting period?

- The 200 GB sounds good! But it's not a priority as I don't use the internet on a daily basis. Mostly browse from my phone or for a little while in the evenings. However now that I've started watching more Youtube videos, I might need just a bit more than 2 GB a month. Not sure how many approximate megs it takes to watch,say a 5 min video?

- I think 460 kilobytes per second is a good enough speed for me. Higher would be nice, but it will obviously come at a higher price which I'm not willing to spend at the moment.

- Thanks for the heads up about Neotel and iBurst. If you can recommend another ISP, I'd be grateful so that I can narrow down the list.
 
Ouch, thats a bit of a tough decision. ADSL at the moment would be the best offer, its cheaper and lines have recently been upgrade to speeds of in excess of 8mbps. But as you say, you have a netbook. Perhaps look at something that G-Connect offers, they have a 3G service that seems like its pretty decent, they charge per MB and you top up your account, so you dont need a contract. This is the only one I know of so far, possibly because I am on ADSL and dont shop around for wireless.

https://gconnect.wirelessg.co.za/
 
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I'm was in a similar boat as you a while back. I had a couple of 1gig Vodacom contracts....what a rash! I also didn't want to spend a lot either - definitely less than the Vodacom contract rate, and I didn't want any damn contracts - i want a way out.

I went with WebAfricas DSL Complete 1 deal - http://www.webafrica.co.za/adsl/complete/

Yes, a 384kbps line (low for your specs), and its got a 1gig cap and includes line rental. I've enabled auto topups, R45/3gigs up to a max of 15gigs. I've been screwed over with Vodacom out of bundle rates too often (and you can't check online either - ghey), so being able to know I wont get screwed if I have a heavier month is great. I'll probably only really use about 3-4gigs a month, so monthly debit will be R214, including line rental.

Good times so far - and not disappointed with speed either surprisingly.
 
markface said:
I'm was in a similar boat as you a while back. I had a couple of 1gig Vodacom contracts....what a rash! I also didn't want to spend a lot either - definitely less than the Vodacom contract rate, and I didn't want any damn contracts - i want a way out.

I went with WebAfricas DSL Complete 1 deal - http://www.webafrica.co.za/adsl/complete/

Yes, a 384kbps line (low for your specs), and its got a 1gig cap and includes line rental. I've enabled auto topups, R45/3gigs up to a max of 15gigs. I've been screwed over with Vodacom out of bundle rates too often (and you can't check online either - ghey), so being able to know I wont get screwed if I have a heavier month is great. I'll probably only really use about 3-4gigs a month, so monthly debit will be R214, including line rental.

Good times so far - and not disappointed with speed either surprisingly.
Click to expand...

The WebAfrica DSL Complete packages are great. Even better are there Titan Packages - http://www.webafrica.co.za/adsl/titan_dsl_special.

You'll have to convert your prepaid Telkom line to a line on account (quite easy to do).

If you really want to be mobile, then as the others have said, GConnect is a really good option for mobile data bundles without a contract. Or wait for Cell C to launch. Apparently their pricing is going to be revolutionary.

Whatever you do, don't lock yourself into any contract, especially the 24 month type. You'll regret it dearly.
 
stevenv said:
That pretty much rules out ADSL. After your analogue line rental you'll only have about R120 for ADSL line rental and data.



And analogue rental?
Click to expand...

Ja, fair enough.... R214+line rental. But I already had that.
 
stevenv said:
My friend's that use Cell C cannot even receive calls or text messages, wonder what their data offering will be like ...
Click to expand...

Same here, and I stay in midrand.

Iburst isn't that bad as well, if you only gonna surf the web and youtube. I get pretty good download speeds and it's R239 for 2gigs per month. And you can get it on month-2-month.
 
Telkom-Mobile or Cell-C

Hi there,

I think you have but 2 Choices ONLY.

Firstly check on your mobile phone if you are picking up SIGNAL in your area from SA02 as an Operator under mobile networks.

If you do then Sign up with them on Month 2 Month. SA02 = Telkom - Mobile

Telkom-Mobile is going to Double the Data allowance currently offered by MTN & Vodacom at the Same price when they LAUNCH. So in-effect Choose an Option that suits you best.

Cell-C's Offer is very GOOD but coverage will only be complete in residential areas by end of next year. December 2011.

Telkom Mobile Speeds are very good ATM so no speed problems.

Hope this HELPS.

DXL- Team
 
DXL,

The I have been going to the TelkomDirect stores to ask for a Telkom SIM card--they all tell me that they have ruun out of them or are not providing them at all until the formal launch 1 Sept 2010. This is in Durban (Musgrave, Pavilion, and Umlazi). I am in same position as the OP, but have to live with Vodacom's exorbitant 3G prices.

Please enlighten us on how to get the telkom CDMA SIMS and how to subscribe to this. Thanks
S
 
Thanks for all the responses. I waited in anticipation for the Cell C launch but that hasn't happened. So I think I'll compare Webafrica and G Connect and then go with one of them for now.

Please can someone also help me decide which I should get, router or USB modem?

Also DXL, how do I check the signals on my phone?

Many thanks!
 
do you have a Telkom 3G signal in your area--their packages are better value for money at the moment, and speeds are very stable and reliable. I have one righ now--could not wait for CellC and ADSl is no go for me till Jan 2011! But ADSl is best option all round if you have ADSL access.
 
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