Visiting South Africa - Is Telkom the one I need?

[Oxymoron]

I'll be visiting South Africa, from Botswana, at a regular rate and will need the same South African number while I'm there.

I've used Cell C before and , and I've heard of Telkom's FreeMe Boost Bundles, which seem good for me, so I was wondering:

1) Is Telkom reliable?
2) Are their network speeds good?
3) Will I have constant network from the Botswana Border (Kopfontein), through Zeerust, into Johannesburg?


Thanks,
Oxy

 

[Thor]

I think, Hate to say it, but Vodacom will probably be the safest bet with signal in those areas, although I would take the plunge and get telkom as you can always roam if you must.

Telkom's offering is incredible value.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Hi Oxy. Telkom is SA's landline operator. As a cellphone service provider, they're actually one of South Africa's youngest networks.

Generally Telkom is strongest in the cities only. MTN and Vodacom have more extensive national networks, and which one is best in the remote rural areas is purely a question of who has a tower in the area.

My recommendation is to have a look at the coverage maps of the service providers on their website. That will be a good starting point.

From there, pick up a sim card for the few best looking networks and do your own field trials. Just remember that prepaid SIM cards in South Africa are not immediately active, you have to show proof of residence to get them activated under the country's RICA legislation. Make sure you can do that.

 

[supersunbird]

I'll be visiting South Africa, from Botswana, at a regular rate and will need the same South African number while I'm there.

I've used Cell C before and , and I've heard of Telkom's FreeMe Boost Bundles, which seem good for me, so I was wondering:

1) Is Telkom reliable?
2) Are their network speeds good?
3) Will I have constant network from the Botswana Border (Kopfontein), through Zeerust, into Johannesburg?


Thanks,
Oxy

If you do get Telkom SIM, just set your device to roam, then it will use MTNs network where there is no Telkom signal. Your max speed for data will be limited to HSDPA+ (H+ shown on device) when you are roaming on MTN vs max LTE/4G when on Telkom.

I just used my old Samsung Galaxy S2 as a windscreen GPS down to Durban and back, with my CAT S60 phone being the hotspot, using a Telkom SIM set to roaming, and I had signal all the way (Telkom and then MTN in the middle stretch and then Telkom again).

 

[Foxhound5366]

If you do get Telkom SIM, just set your device to roam, then it will use MTNs network where there is no Telkom signal. Your max speed for data will be limited to HSDPA+ (H+ shown on device) when you are roaming on MTN vs max LTE/4G when on Telkom.

I just used my old Samsung Galaxy S2 as a windscreen GPS down to Durban and back, with my CAT S60 phone being the hotspot, using a Telkom SIM set to roaming, and I had signal all the way (Telkom and then MTN in the middle stretch and then Telkom again).

And if you find yourself in an area where Vodacom has a 3G data network and MTN has nothing? That happened to me in Dullstroom, where my Telkom LTE router was useless. Ended up turning my Vodacom phone into a portable hotspot as well.

 

[TheVeteran]

I'll be visiting South Africa, from Botswana, at a regular rate and will need the same South African number while I'm there.

I've used Cell C before and , and I've heard of Telkom's FreeMe Boost Bundles, which seem good for me, so I was wondering:

1) Is Telkom reliable?
2) Are their network speeds good?
3) Will I have constant network from the Botswana Border (Kopfontein), through Zeerust, into Johannesburg?


Thanks,
Oxy

I used Vodacom from there and even across the border for a few km's. Don't know about other networks. For voice calls Vodacom should be the best. For data...probably the most expensive.

 

[RyanPCMR]

Welcome back and I would recommend Telkom Mobile from a pricing point but like some others have said, Vodacom would have better coverage.

 

[midnightcaller]

If you need a reliable network with good coverage and decent network speeds , I suggest you use Vodacom.

 

[supersunbird]

And if you find yourself in an area where Vodacom has a 3G data network and MTN has nothing? That happened to me in Dullstroom, where my Telkom LTE router was useless. Ended up turning my Vodacom phone into a portable hotspot as well.

Or in Golden Gate National Park where those with VC had no data signal while those with MTN/Telkom at least had Edge or 3G

 

[Foxhound5366]

Or in Golden Gate National Park where those with VC had no data signal while those with MTN/Telkom at least had Edge or 3G

Yup, I've had an occasion where my MTN phone at least had *some* signal so it could send SMSes while those with Vodacom had nothing at all. Which is why I stand by my recommendation of analysing the service providers' coverage maps online, and then doing practical field tests (assuming enough RICA-ed sim cards can be procured).

 

[Oxymoron]

Many people are saying I should use Vodacom, although their bundles look expensive :/

I do have a small dual-sim Nokia, and a tablet, so I guess I'll just buy a sim for each network and see which one is the best?


Thanks guys

 

[Thor]

Many people are saying I should use Vodacom, although their bundles look expensive :/

I do have a small dual-sim Nokia, and a tablet, so I guess I'll just buy a sim for each network and see which one is the best?


Thanks guys

Get a Vodacom prepaid sim as a ultimate failsafe and stick to telkom assuming you want a contract.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Many people are saying I should use Vodacom, although their bundles look expensive :/

I do have a small dual-sim Nokia, and a tablet, so I guess I'll just buy a sim for each network and see which one is the best?


Thanks guys

Their bundles ARE the most expensive, but ask yourself: when you're in the middle of nowhere, which is better? The provider who gave you lots of data that you can't use because they don't have a network out where you are, or the one where you got less data but it actually works? Depending on the situation that 'expensive data' suddenly becomes priceless, trust me. Do not sign up to a contract until you are satisfied with your tests using prepaid, and you'll be fine.

 

[MickeyD]

Their bundles ARE the most expensive, but ask yourself: when you're in the middle of nowhere, which is better?

A satellite phone?

 

[MickeyD]

So, these SIM cards, I can buy them at Zeerust? Won't the shop people become suspicious at the amount of SIM cards I'm buying?

Yes, you can. Go to PEP Stores in Voortrekker Street.

/my old stomping ground

 

[Foxhound5366]

A satellite phone?

Well now, let's talk about expensive data http://www.bluecosmo.com/iridium-go/rate-plans

Cheapest prepaid data plan costs $445 (R5 500) and you get 400 minutes of data (R13.75/minute online).

 

[Foxhound5366]

So, these SIM cards, I can buy them at Zeerust? Won't the shop people become suspicious at the amount of SIM cards I'm buying?

They won't care, sim cards these days are dirt cheap ... like R10 each? The tricky part is how to RICA them if you're a foreigner. Does anybody know if your local Spar will accept a foreign proof of residence, or a temporary proof of residence in SA (like a B&B or wherever the guy is staying)?

 

[Oxymoron]

I actually will be staying with a relative, does that count?

 

[Foxhound5366]

I actually will be staying with a relative, does that count?

What I suggest is that you ask your relative to buy the sim cards for you. It'll be MUCH easier. They can use their proof of residence and get the cards RICA-ed for you.