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Telkom prepaid LTE
- Thread starter derp90
- Start date
It really is that simple ... as long as you have Telkom LTE signal / reception in your area, that is.
Telkom shops usually RICA them for free (ie. no need to pay for a SIM from them) ; used to be the case, but don't know if it's still the same.
Telkom shops usually RICA them for free (ie. no need to pay for a SIM from them) ; used to be the case, but don't know if it's still the same.
Last edited:
Dan C
Honorary Master
The cheaper LTE bundles work on 2300MHz. So make sure your router can handle that.
I have a Huawei B618S-22d. Looks like it's not going to work.
Any recommendations for a cheap router that will work?
Dan C
Honorary Master
I would pop into PEP stores, get a prepaid SIM for 99c .. load some data and see if it works before spending money on another router.
The B618-22d is capable of the 1800 range and may work with some packages.
This is with Cell C right? Telkom LTE says it works on the 2300mhz, which this router model doesn't support.
Dan C
Honorary Master
Telkom uses both 1800 & 2300. But I think Smartbroadband LTE packages only works on 2300.
e.g. https://secure.telkom.co.za/today/shop/home/plan/smartbroadband-wireless-prepaid-5gb-pv/
I don't think it's that restrictive.
In the past, I've easily been able to switch between 1800 & 2300 on Smart BB LTE packages, in particular the original 500GB for R149, which became 450GB for the same price, then 100GB .... on a B525 router, which happens to be 65a. Don't know if that's a factor, though, compared to the 22 ones.
However, your original suggestion is what the OP should do, and that's get a SIM, buy some data (5 + 5, or less if available), and test, before committing to a new router.
They don't enforce that limit at all. It works on 2100MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz.
On their site they specify that it's on the 2300mhz network, but if it works on the others then my 22d will work.
They mentioned that from day 1 that they launched those bundles.
If the tower loses fibre backhaul 2300MHz drops and only leaves 1800MHz and 3G. The bundles still work but yeah you can give it a go with a bundle in the router you have.
On auto setting you should be getting 4G+ on the B618.
You should be able to stream 4k. Coverage dependant though.
Have just done some speedtests, pasted below.
Certainly don't want to make excuses for them, because usually do considerably better on downloads, but it is cloudy this evening & probably weekend congestion also a factor (weekdays usually better d/load speeds).
1800 ("B3 only" setting in router) :
https://speedtest.co.za/result/5044257
ISP: Telkom Internet
Ping: 26ms
Download: 10.44Mbps
Upload: 21.87Mbps
2300 ("B40 only" setting in router) :
https://speedtest.co.za/result/5044273
ISP: Telkom Internet
Ping: 40ms
Download: 35.85Mbps
Upload: 8.32Mbps
That said, I invariably leave it on "Auto" so that if any of the 4G spectrum's fail (which they sometimes do), then it will revert to 3G which at its best I can get up to about 30Mbps down and about 3 - 5 up.
Suggest you set it on "Auto" as well, and it will switch between the various Mhz frequencies.
Thanks for this. Even 10Mbps would be perfectly sufficient for my intended usage.