Returning to SA

V

virt

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Hi Guys,

I need some advice. After 7 years in the UK I've decided to take the plunge and will be returning to SA. I'll be spending almost all of my time working from home via a Cisco VPN connection to our UK offices. In terms of data transfer, I'll mostly be using most our web-based CMS, Remote Desktop (RDP) and VOIP. So having the best international connection possible would be essential.

Anyway, from reading the forums it seems as if a 4MB unshaped SAIX connection would be optimum of such a setup (axxess / webafrica?), however was just wondering if anyone else had a similar setup and/or any additional advice would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks, Virt.
 
4Mb/s ADSL is a must. You can choose your ISP based on your needs.

How much bandwidth do you require per month as you might want to look into uncapped as well in your situation.
 
'Upto' 4MB line is the fastest line you are going to get over here. Rental PM is about R440 (might be wrong?). Are you wanting an Uncapped plan?

btw, Welcome to the forum :)
 
Before your sign a lease or purchase a dwelling, make sure to find out about ADSL connectivity in the area.
 
Thanks Guys. I've estimated I'll need about 5-15GB per month. I've also read that using a VPN would cause your traffic not to be shaped - is this true? If so then I may get away with shaped... :) Otherwise unshaped it will have to be. Also, with so many providers to choose from, which one's currently provides best international connectivity?

Thanks again, Virt.
 
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I'm with Web Africa and their service is super for the most part unless it's a telkom problem -> obviously is not their fault. I buy 15 GB shaped a month *graphic designer* which comes to around R800, usually i'd get an extra GB or 2 added on because i run out but for the most part I'm supremely happy with what i get every month. Intl connectivity for me is good (usually again depending on telkom) My home is in the berea / musgrave area in durban where quite a large number of businesses are located (a'la Price WaterHouse Coopers) - probably why my line is good :D were i doing the stock market, I'd tear my hair out but since I'm not - it's all good ^___^
 
International connectivity in South Africa is still not what it should be, but it is improving. You may want to ask the ISP whether they are using capacity on the SEACOM cable, or at least an alternative to Telkom/SAIX, like Neotel / Tata Communications global network.
 
Look who's talking.
Librarian, you're advising him to go unshaped ... and advertising AfriHost in the same post. That's kinda funny since AfriHost is shaped.
 
UK must really suck for you to decide to come back.
Anyway,welcome back home.
 
I recommend getting A SAIX Unshaped account from a ISP! I am sorry to say it but the IS accounts just don't stand up to the SAIX Service yet :(
 
Thanks for all the great feedback everyone, much appreciated. And what a great, vibrant community here on mybb forums! Having spend a few days just reading about nothing but broadband in South Africa, I have to say that I do feel quite optimistic! I was also surprised to see the amount of competition out there (which is always good) and with new investments from the likes of Seacom, the future is certainly looking up. True, it does not come close to rival anything we have in the UK, but then again even the UK is lagging quite a bit behind compared to countries like Korea.

Anyway, I think I've pretty much settled on an unshaped SAIX account (for now) and will be trialling a few pre-pay accounts to see which one's give me the best latency. ~280ms seems to be the norm - anyone out there getting less on an unshaped account??

Also, I could not find anyone offering IS unshaped over fibre on a month-to-month to compare against - just semi-shaped. Gam seems to have it, however not sure I want to commit to 24 months!!

http://www.gam.co.za/index.php?class=page&objectID=4888add306076
 
One of the most important rules in this country is to NEVER sign a 12/24 month contract. With prices expected to be reducing rapidly over the next few months, the last thing you need is to be stuck paying an older, more expensive price for your adsl.

Axxess offer IS Unshaped over fibre on month-to-month here - http://www.axxess.co.za/basic.php (look at pricing) As Ive said before, best to take out a Do3 package with telkom and just buy an extra account with a internet reseller for the extra usage needed
 
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Currently I would stay clear of SAIX and Neotel – both ISP’s are experiencing issues...

Obtain a DSL enabled telephone line from Telkom Finlay Peake [email protected], opt for Telkom Closer Option 5 (R 685 / pm) (http://www.telkom.co.za/products_services/telkomcloser/benefits.html)

MTN Business (Old Verizon) [email protected] (R 4 650 uncapped and unshaped) or Internet Solutions might be an alternative if you have budget constraints; (unshaped prepaid) via www.fnbconnect.co.za @ R 69.00 per Gig or (monthly subscription shaped) via www.afrihost.co.za @ R 29.00 per Gig; however, there is not much difference between the last two offering s, pings slightly higher (+/- 10 – 20 ms) via Afrihost. I make use of RDC’s to London and Istanbul and use Skype / Rynga / Low Rate VoIP / FNB Connect Chat without issues on Afrihost (Video streaming is not great though).

Expect 280ms - 300ms on an unshaped connection to the States, UK can be higher at times...

Hope this helps

Regards

Mike
 
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