Recommendations Please?

Dicola

New Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
3
Hi everyone,

Hope you won't mind me asking here.

I'm looking to purchase a mobile wireless router.

Have looked around on the forums, but not quite finding answers to what I'm searching for (Google isn't helping much either, or I just don't know how to search).

I don't want a contract. I've looked at Telkom's LTE, but I'm not finding prices for prepaid. Could someone perhaps assist with this? E.g. I want to be able to purchase 30gb - 50gb per month, not sure this is actually possible.

We aren't streaming nor gaming. Just a few torrents here and there (between 10 - 20 a month - if that much), mostly YouTube and surfing. My main concern is having reliable, fast Internet for early next year, in order to sign up my son for FastForWord therapy - I will need high-speed Internet for this. We have a USB dongle from Cell C with Voda SIM in, pretty reliable 3G at present. Since learning about LTE have been looking at various options, but nothing I can find to suit our needs.

We are quite close on Telkom's LTE coverage map, about +- 10km, but not actually on it. I really don't want a contract - reading all the issues experienced with Telkom is very worrying. We are on a plot in Pretoria East.

Will it help getting the Huawei B315 router? And would we need an external antenna? If so, where does one purchase this?

Have never had a router or any kind of 'equipment', so to speak, so would really appreciate any advice on what exactly one should get.

Still have a few months to shop around, I'm hoping the issues I've been reading about will resolve as time goes on. Not really worried about uncapped, as we'll definitely stay within 30gb - 50gb per month.

Thank you in advance.
 

sajunky

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 1, 2010
Messages
13,124
Get B315s for R999 from Edgars/Jet/CNA, if you can still find it. It covers all SA networks. Don't be scared with router setup. On the Ethernet LAN cable connection is fully automatic - plug and go, no driver installation. You only need to change default password for the obvious reason. More attention is required for WiFi connection, but nothing more than usual stuff with WPS button.
Router also has 5dB stronger internal antenna comparing to a small dongle.

Regarding coverage, don't depend on maps. Get prepaid SIM R0.99 for each network and test yourself. I use Cell C LTE since October and a map still shows no LTE coverage. For Cell C make sure it is a blue SIM marked "Power USIM" (very small print).

Regarding packages. Cell C Giga100/Giga200 SIM (R999 valid for one year) leads the pack. Other than above there are only subscription type of services (month to month contracts).

Cell C is has a special http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-month-for-R99-plus-15GB-night-time-data-deal

Telkom has a number month to month contracts for their LTE network. Unlimited is the most popular. Advantage to Cell C is no OOB (unless you opt for it).

With MTN coverage look at Afrihost/Axxess offerings.
 
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