Telkom Fibre Package Differences

[AEShadowHunter]

I currently have a 20 mbps fibre line at Telkom, since it's the only ISP offering Fibre in my area, but with everyone working from home the speed hasn't been sufficient anymore. I'm looking to upgrade but I'm unsure which package to choose. There are Uncapped and Premium options. For about a similar-ish price I can get a 50 mbps premium line but, for slightly less, a 100 mbps uncapped one with throttling during peak hours.

To get to my questions:

• Just how badly is the account throttled during peak hours? More than half its speed? Because otherwise I would still get 50 mbps during peak hours and a higher speed outside of it.
• There's also a FUP that applies on the higher-speed line and we tend to average around 400 GB per month at present. Would the slower-speed / premium line with no FUP be the better option?

I'm afraid I'm terribly confused about my options, not tech-savvy enough to make a decision, and I hope someone here can give me some insight on the topic.

(Hopefully this is posted in the right forum / thread.)

Thank you.

 

[cavedog]

You know you have access to ANY ISP that offers fibre on Openserve right?

 

[AEShadowHunter]

I've checked some other ISP options but most seem to be based on Frogfoot(?) lines. Do you possibly have a list of others ISP providers I might check? Do you have any you would recommend?

 

[cavedog]

I've checked some other ISP options but most seem to be based on Frogfoot(?) lines. Do you possibly have a list of others ISP providers I might check? Do you have any you would recommend?

Who is the current provider? I'm guessing you are using Openserve?

Have a look at this link

Openserve Fibre - Afrihost

Get connected with blazing-fast Fibre with Openserve Fibre and Afrihost.

www.afrihost.com

 

[AEShadowHunter]

Thank you so much.

A quick, final question. If I were to change to a different ISP from that link would my Openserve line be included in the price or be paid separately? Currently, with Telkom, I only pay one bill with everything included.

I don't use a voice-line so I don't have any problems if that's lost in the process.

 

[StefanB7]

As far as I know everything is included.
Changing to Afrihost (or any other ISP) will mean you won't have to deal with Telkom's pathetic customer service.
@cavedog doing his job

 

[AEShadowHunter]

Ah! I'm strongly considering switching since it seems Afrihost does actually offer service in my area now. I recall they didn't before.

Thank you so much for all the help. I appreciate it immensely and will consider my options now.

 

[RudderVator]

I currently have a 20 mbps fibre line at Telkom, since it's the only ISP offering Fibre in my area, but with everyone working from home the speed hasn't been sufficient anymore. I'm looking to upgrade but I'm unsure which package to choose. There are Uncapped and Premium options. For about a similar-ish price I can get a 50 mbps premium line but, for slightly less, a 100 mbps uncapped one with throttling during peak hours.

To get to my questions:

• Just how badly is the account throttled during peak hours? More than half its speed? Because otherwise I would still get 50 mbps during peak hours and a higher speed outside of it.
• There's also a FUP that applies on the higher-speed line and we tend to average around 400 GB per month at present. Would the slower-speed / premium line with no FUP be the better option?

I'm afraid I'm terribly confused about my options, not tech-savvy enough to make a decision, and I hope someone here can give me some insight on the topic.

(Hopefully this is posted in the right forum / thread.)

Thank you.

Basically you will find the shaping differences between the Premium and lite/standard products and also the included 3GBp/m Telkom mobile data sim card.

That’s basically why 20mbps Premium is R849 and the 20mbps lite is R699
The same for the other speeds.

All openserve fibre connections function how ADSL used to by allowing you to use any ISP.

 

[cavedog]

Ah! I'm strongly considering switching since it seems Afrihost does actually offer service in my area now. I recall they didn't before.

Thank you so much for all the help. I appreciate it immensely and will consider my options now.

Yeah you can basically use any ISP that offers Openserve fibre. The price you see is usually the all inclusive price which is data and the line rental.

I recommended Afrihost mainly because I work for them but also because I think Afrihost is pretty damn good. Exactly what is advertised there is what you get there isn't any shaping or throttling.

You can shop around and look what people say about different ISPs. You can even stay with Telkom if you want but they are expensive and throttle during peak time so I think you can get better if you change from Telkom. I will let everyone recommend their preferred ISPs. There are lot's of reps on the forum if you have issues.

Afrihost - @AfriNatic
Cool Ideas - @PBCool
Websquad - @websquadza
RocketNet - @RocketNet-Rep
RSAWeb - @SuperHero Sarah
Axxess - @Captain Axxess

 

[AEShadowHunter]

I have a few final questions before switching to Afrihost if you don't mind.

It says I can mitigate my current line, which I would obviously do, but also that I have to cancel my current ISP first. Since Telkom handled is, would I not lose my line by doing that?

And, finally, if I cancel my Telkom ISP and switch to Afrihost how long would it take to get my new account set-up? Since I am currently working from home I can't afford to have no internet for more than a few days at most.

Thank you for all the help (again).

 

[cavedog]

I have a few final questions before switching to Afrihost if you don't mind.

It says I can mitigate my current line, which I would obviously do, but also that I have to cancel my current ISP first. Since Telkom handled is, would I not lose my line by doing that?

And, finally, if I cancel my Telkom ISP and switch to Afrihost how long would it take to get my new account set-up? Since I am currently working from home I can't afford to have no internet for more than a few days at most.

Thank you for all the help (again).

With Openserve if you cancel with your ISP they release ownership of the line into what Openserve calls a Holding pool. If a line is in the holding pool it can be migrated to the new ISP. If your current ISP stops working the new ISP can take over the line there will be minimal or no downtime.

 

[AEShadowHunter]

Thank you for explaining. Again. I appreciate all your help and the quick responses. I'll see about canceling my Telkom when I have time and then switching over.

 

[DeatheCore]

Yeah you can basically use any ISP that offers Openserve fibre. The price you see is usually the all inclusive price which is data and the line rental.

I recommended Afrihost mainly because I work for them but also because I think Afrihost is pretty damn good. Exactly what is advertised there is what you get there isn't any shaping or throttling.

You can shop around and look what people say about different ISPs. You can even stay with Telkom if you want but they are expensive and throttle during peak time so I think you can get better if you change from Telkom. I will let everyone recommend their preferred ISPs. There are lot's of reps on the forum if you have issues.

Afrihost - @AfriNatic
Cool Ideas - @PBCool
Websquad - @websquadza
RocketNet - @RocketNet-Rep
RSAWeb - @SuperHero Sarah
Axxess - @Captain Axxess

How long have you worked for Afrihost? What do you do there if you don't mind me asking?

 

[RocketNet-Rep]

@AEShadowHunter just be sure to ask Telkom for your BNUMBER e.g. B123456789. This is your unique service number which the new ISP would need to take over your service.

Once your service has been terminated with your "old" ISP then the new ISP can receive ownership of this BNUMBER. If you had a 10Mbps service with the previous ISP and you have now signed up for a 20Mbps service, then the new ISP will need to Regrade your service to the correct speed.

If you have an existing router then you would simply need to login to the router e.g. 192.168.0.1 and then enter the new PPPoE credentials to authenticate on your "new" ISP's network. If you have an existing Telkom line you can even port the telephone numbers over to the new ISP. Your VoIP telephone line can even work on a mobile application.

Just be sure to check the T&C's before signing up with a new ISP for their early termination clauses e.g 6 months, 12 months, 24 months.

 

[Geoff.D]

@AEShadowHunter just be sure to ask Telkom for your BNUMBER e.g. B123456789. This is your unique service number which the new ISP would need to take over your service.

Once your service has been terminated with your "old" ISP then the new ISP can receive ownership of this BNUMBER. If you had a 10Mbps service with the previous ISP and you have now signed up for a 20Mbps service, then the new ISP will need to Regrade your service to the correct speed.

If you have an existing router then you would simply need to login to the router e.g. 192.168.0.1 and then enter the new PPPoE credentials to authenticate on your "new" ISP's network. If you have an existing Telkom line you can even port the telephone numbers over to the new ISP. Your VoIP telephone line can even work on a mobile application.

Just be sure to check the T&C's before signing up with a new ISP for their early termination clauses e.g 6 months, 12 months, 24 months.

Just look on your Telkom account for the number.
Don't know if other ISPs list the number on their invoices and statements.
Some installers even provide a sticker with the number pasted on to the ONT.