Satellite Internet

[francoisvr]

I am starting to work from home and my 3g internet will no longer be a viable solution. For one thing it is costing me in the region of R700 for 10g per month, and 10g is simply not enough anymore.

Telkom is out of the question. Waiting time is about 3 months I have been told, and the infrastructure is notoriously unstable in the suburb I stag.

Wireless is a challenge since a neighbors tree blocks the line of sight and I am 5+ km's from the tower.

The last option I can think of is satellite as line of sight wont be a problem, and I wont have to wait for telkom.

So I would like to know how dependable is the technology? What uptime can I expect? Can anyone direct me to a dependable provider?

P.S. I am looking for cost effective, uncapped and dependable options.

 

[psion]

P.S. I am looking for cost effective, uncapped and dependable options.

Just reading your requirements, already I can say look for something else.

Latency is terrible up wards of 1000ms so voip is out, this solution is not cheap and if it is overcast your connection becomes non existent.

This is a great solution for those out in the middle of no where with no infrastructure, but for use in the city I wouldn't bother.
I would rather try get the ADSL and try it out, it is month to month so you can cancel if it is really that bad, plus you will pay the same for uncapped that you are paying now. Keep some sort of 3G as backup, cell c or Telkom Mobile packages depending on the reception in your area...

Else work with the neighbours to perhaps cut some branches or offer to do it...
put up a long mast for the wireless to go over the tree's? Unless they really are huge. Or put the antenna on a spot that will miss the trees (Just some suggestions, not sure what your site looks like)

 

[Park@82]

I am starting to work from home and my 3g internet will no longer be a viable solution. For one thing it is costing me in the region of R700 for 10g per month, and 10g is simply not enough anymore.

Telkom is out of the question. Waiting time is about 3 months I have been told, and the infrastructure is notoriously unstable in the suburb I stag.

Wireless is a challenge since a neighbors tree blocks the line of sight and I am 5+ km's from the tower.

The last option I can think of is satellite as line of sight wont be a problem, and I wont have to wait for telkom.

So I would like to know how dependable is the technology? What uptime can I expect? Can anyone direct me to a dependable provider?

P.S. I am looking for cost effective, uncapped and dependable options.

Cost effective uncapped satellite internet = oxymoron. Good luck.

 

[Park@82]

Btw Yah click was the cheapest sat option last time I checked. Look at Telkom Mobile & cell c for cheaper 3G.

 

[rebel998]

Why don't you try and bounce the signal from somewhere else?

Satelite is expensive and have a lot of issues.

I suggest you try something else.

 

[francoisvr]

Thanks for the info; I will consider the alternatives as suggested.

 

[francoisvr]

Why don't you try and bounce the signal from somewhere else?

What do you mean by bouncing it? The tech that was here today didnt mention anything like that.

 

[francoisvr]

Cost effective uncapped satellite internet = oxymoron. Good luck.

Yahclick seems to be roughtly the same that I am currently paying towards my 3G data so that is cost effective for me at least. Pity that it isnt dependable.

 

[tsruBi]

Yahclick Satellite is a good option if you cannot get adsl - it's fast - up-time 99.9% check out yahclick-satellite.co.za - ask about the promos they have running - free dish & modem

 

[Park@82]

fyi: http://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadband/91097-mobile-data-prices-compared.html

 

[webtailor]

what about iBurst? I know is an old technology, but is still there and some areas have good coverage with decent speed.

Also take a look a Neotel Wimax. Is more expensive, but it works. You require Line of Sight, but is less affected by trees and you have to be inside the 5km radius from the Neotel Point.

Another option from Neotel that may work for you is the new LTE http://www.neotel.co.za/lte

If none of the above works, I think you have to stay in 3G.