Uncapped ADSL - Latest?

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LancelotSA

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Ok, I am getting confused with all these uncapped offerings so this thread is as much for me to summarise what it going on as it is for others to comment. I know we have threads on each one but I find myself constantly hopping between them! :)

So.....

Screamer - [R399 uncapped 384k = Total of R551 (incl 384k line)] sounded good, no show when it came to delivering a decent service.

Digichilli - [R300 for 256k burstable = Total of R452 (incl 384k line)] sounded even better, but as more people are subscribing the speeds appear to be degrading. Work is said to be happening but will need to keep an eye on this. 256k service offered - burstable.

SAOL - [R499 incl 384k ADSL line - value R152] was frowned upon initially by many as you had to move your ADSL line but by all accounts speeds for downloads are good even during business hours. 384k service offered.

Cybersmart - [R514 for uncapped 384k service] no information on their website but apparently an offer similar to SAOL but at about R20 more per month


10/12/2009
Screamer - seemed to come and go without much attention from me. Almost as soon as I read about it I started seeing complaints.

Digichilli - I went from reading about it, to questioning it, to seriously considering it, to now taking a wait and see stance.

SAOL - I did not consider at first as it was the most expensive option. I am now seriously considering it as it seems to be the only one delivery what it promises.


Hmmm... what to do? I am paying R572 for my current 384k ADSL setup with a number of accounts...

27/12/2009
Screamer - So by some accounts Screamer seems to have improved. Still talk of shaping happening though.

Digichilli - Now appears to be dead in the water...

SAOL - Still sounding like a good option. So far the only negative anyone has come up with is changing the line across to them (something I do not have an issue with as my line is currently with Nashua anyway)

Cybersmart - Also sounds more and more interesting. Price is more expensive but there is a secret offering that is meant to come out soon. Trouble is I am not a fan of buying a product that I cannot read all the terms and conditions for...
 
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Remember that saol.com resell cybersmart bandwidth. So I think that cybersmart is asking R517 or R516 for the exact same offering as saol.com why I don't know but ya.

I stand to be corrected. but I know saol.com is selling cybersmart bandwidth. Although saol.com is a company on its own!
 
First posts edited to add Cybersmart but without much detail as it is not advertised on their website.

Yeah, cavedog that does not make much sense to me. If it is through cybersmart how can SAOL have it cheaper?
 
LancelotSA said:
First posts edited to add Cybersmart but without much detail as it is not advertised on their website.

Yeah, cavedog that does not make much sense to me. If it is through cybersmart how can SAOL have it cheaper?
Click to expand...

The Ip I get with the saol.com uncapped is owned by cybersmart. So its definitly a reseller of cybersmart. Why its cheaper. only cybersmart will know.

But even comparing other packages from saol.com like the summer slam special.

Cybersmart: R259 = 3Gb of international + 384k line rental.
SAOL.COM: R249= 3Gb of international +50Gb of local + 384k line rental + 10mb hosting package

Now how the hell? :wtf:
 
I tried looking up cybersmart, and it seems their deal is only available if you throw a chunk of cash at one of the online merchants. Can't seem to find the link now, but shouldn't be too hard to find it if you scout around.
 
Raedwulf said:
I tried looking up cybersmart, and it seems their deal is only available if you throw a chunk of cash at one of the online merchants. Can't seem to find the link now, but shouldn't be too hard to find it if you scout around.
Click to expand...

Always a little worrying though when you don't actually have anything in writing from the companies themselves stated the terms and conditions of the service. They could reduce the offering at any time and you'd have nothing to refer to.
 
LancelotSA said:
Always a little worrying though when you don't actually have anything in writing from the companies themselves stated the terms and conditions of the service. They could reduce the offering at any time and you'd have nothing to refer to.
Click to expand...


As far as I know the product has not been officially launched yet. The service is uncapped & unshaped though.

If indeed SAOL is reselling CS bandwidth I don't understand why the CS offer is more expensive by R20 or so.
 
SAOL.com speedtest results :11/12/2009 8:30am

Durban:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649134329.png

Birmingham, UK:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649135295.png

Richmond BC, Canada:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649136694.png

Hong Kong, China:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649139027.png

Sydney, Australia:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649140029.png

As you can see that all the speedtests are the same. I can do another test/s at 8pm tonight when the internet is the most busy. But it seems saol.com is the way to go if you want to get max 384k speeds 24/7 :-)
 
Thanks Cavedog. Looking good and if it stays that way well worth the extra R47 over Digichilli.

The only *** thing for me is losing my regularly used email address if I make the switch. Serves me right for not using my gmail more often! ;)
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks Cavedog. Looking good and if it stays that way well worth the extra R47 over Digichilli.

The only *** thing for me is losing my regularly used email address if I make the switch. Serves me right for not using my gmail more often! ;)
Click to expand...

Yes I suppose so. But the only thing that was stopping me from using gmail was international bandwidth. I was always without it at the end of the month. Now I don't care if my email is local or international. Cause I will always have access to it! :)

It don't know about Digichilli thought. Cause I see people complain about slow speeds.

R300 for the account 256k burtable + R152 for adsl line rental. That is R452 so only a R47 cheaper option for 256k and maybe a chance of more than that. And it seems by this thread that http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=207147 that people aren't even getting 256k speeds.


EDIT: I see that how they made the uncapped plan with SAOL is that its like a normal account but the Remaining bandwidth is just taken away. So you can check your usage and session details during the month.
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks Cavedog. Looking good and if it stays that way well worth the extra R47 over Digichilli.

The only *** thing for me is losing my regularly used email address if I make the switch. Serves me right for not using my gmail more often! ;)
Click to expand...

Google Apps, its the same as gmail, but you can use any domain name you have, ie they host your email for you. So you get the speed, search, and redundancy of the gmail server.

I thought, until recently that it was paid for, but there standerd service is free for 50 accounts, I set one up for my self the other day.
 
evilsee said:
Google Apps, its the same as gmail, but you can use any domain name you have, ie they host your email for you. So you get the speed, search, and redundancy of the gmail server.

I thought, until recently that it was paid for, but there standerd service is free for 50 accounts, I set one up for my self the other day.
Click to expand...

I'll go and read up.... but you are saying my *****@nashuaisp.co.za will be usable on there?
 
Lance you might also want to list the R500 mild digichilli package. It essentially gives you 256kbps for R250 if you go halves with a friend. I'm using it that way right now, and it works exactly the same as the spicy package for R300.
 
I have had a 512 account with Screamer from the start and the first 2,5 weeks were torrid but the last 1,5 weeks have been perfect with me getting an average of 50Kb on downloads.
 
cavedog said:
SAOL.com speedtest results :11/12/2009 8:30am

Durban:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649134329.png

Birmingham, UK:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649135295.png

Richmond BC, Canada:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649136694.png

Hong Kong, China:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649139027.png

Sydney, Australia:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/649140029.png

As you can see that all the speedtests are the same. I can do another test/s at 8pm tonight when the internet is the most busy. But it seems saol.com is the way to go if you want to get max 384k speeds 24/7 :-)
Click to expand...

does saol work well for p2p?

Do I really have to transfer my line to saol? and in this period of the transfer will my ADSL line still work with another isp?
 
Hi Guys

I wanted to post my experience thus far. I jumped on the Screamer roller coaster and by the time I realised my mistake my other accounts was cancelled already. So I got lucky with a Digichilli test account and it was really good for a while. Then they launched...which is more like throwing the doors open and hoping they will not break from the hinges in the process...well it was not pretty.


I got gatvol and signed up Friday morning with SAOL. They issued my details within 30 secs and 4 hours later got a phone call to confirm my signup. Gave me instructions to pay them the months fee (which was the full fee R499) and upon the receipt of proof of payment, they activated my account.

If you have an active ADSL line, they will activate you on proof of payment. They will then start the migrating process of your line to them.

I personally don't have an issue with having my line with an ISP. For the last 4 years, my line was with Axxess. (Except the last 2 months, moved house, so new number, all through Telkom). Which mean in the bigger scheme of things not much. Three times it was faulty. I phoned Axxess, they logged the error at Telkom. I then tried phoning Telkom ADSL helpline directly, and low and behold, they sorted me out while I was on the phone.

So I am happy to move over my ADSL line to SAOL.

Now for speed. Awesome, been flat out when I connect to a news server (Astraweb, getting 40kbps on a single connection to their US or European server)

Http, no issues either, torrents, I hate them, so I seldom use them. Skype, made a video call to my friends in the States for a hour and 30 mins and the quality of the call was excellent, no artefacts or hints there off. The quality meter never dipped to orange...just stayed in the Green!

Long story short, I am happy. Considering that my only vice is my internet, then I will gladly pay them R47 if that means it is the difference between a quality service I am used to and a cheap and nasty alternative...
 
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Super78 said:
does saol work well for p2p?

Do I really have to transfer my line to saol? and in this period of the transfer will my ADSL line still work with another isp?
Click to expand...

There is no visible difference between http and p2p speeds. they all give 40kbs so i hope that answers your question. :)
 
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