What should I consider when ordering broadband?

[@frica]

OK, I'm not new to ADSL (had it back in the states from 1999, and ironically it was fastest during that first year) but I am about to order ADSL here in SA for the first time. Here are my main questions and concerns:

- How long does it take from the time I place an order until I have usable broadband? If I already have a phone line and ADSL modem, is there a significant lag? I've heard 2-8 weeks, but I'm nott sure if this applies if you are not installing a new line.

- Is there an advantage to going with an ISP other than Telkom? I know other ISP's resell Telkom's service, but would I get better tech support and responsiveness if I chose another ISP and paid a little more?

- Does anyone live in Upper Woodstock near Cape Town? If so, what's your connection speed like?

- Is there a way around capping? What about the nukecap service - any personal stories?

Thanks!

 

[ic]

Start with the cheapest, least restrictive of options on a 30 day notice contract, when you have been using it for a month decide whether you need more & upgrade from there.

 

[@frica]

OK, thanks for that - I definitely am not going for a restrictive contract.

My main concern is - how long from when I place the order until I've got broadband? I'm looking at a job that would require me to have broadband starting a week from now, and want to know if I can be up and running that quickly.

 

[ic]

...
I'm looking at a job that would require me to have broadband starting a week from now, and want to know if I can be up and running that quickly.

There are too many Telkom variables involved, varies from one area to the next, one exchange to the next, one techie to the next. This despite the existence of an existing telephone line. In SA there are very few guarantees & none of them are offered by Telkomonopoly.

 

[hArTh]

- How long does it take from the time I place an order until I have usable broadband? If I already have a phone line and ADSL modem, is there a significant lag? I've heard 2-8 weeks, but I'm nott sure if this applies if you are not installing a new line.

Shortest possible installation time from order placement: 1 week.
Useually its 2-3 weeks.
Dont assume you will get it. If the local exchange doesnt support it or the ports are full you are **** out of luck.

- Is there an advantage to going with an ISP other than Telkom? I know other ISP's resell Telkom's service, but would I get better tech support and responsiveness if I chose another ISP and paid a little more?

Not really. I you really need your hand held go with MWEB. But you pay for that.

- Does anyone live in Upper Woodstock near Cape Town? If so, what's your connection speed like?

I'm in Mowbray which is very close to you. My speeds are exellent on the non shaped ports.

- Is there a way around capping? What about the nukecap service - any personal stories?

If you really need uncapped get a true uncapped service at R1500 pm (thats just to the ISP). Even if its uncapped it will still be shaped though. IS (Internet solutions) are going to act as an independant ADSL ISP soon. Keep an eye on these forums.

I can give you some idea of the performance you can expect if you tell me what you will be using it for.

Welcome to South Africa ... Broadband's Death Valley

 

[@frica]

Broadband's Death Valley indeed.

In San Francisco where I lived before Cape Town, I could pick up as many as 10 wireless networks sitting in my car on any given street corner - and finding one with no PW protection was never tough. Granted SF is maybe the most wired city in the US, but SA's dysfunction is startling.

I need I can give you some idea of the performance you can expect if you tell me what you will be using it for.


I am going to be telecommuting to the states, doing pretty simple webmastering. I'll also be doing graphic design which requires the occasional upload to a server. And a lot of websurfing and emailing. I don't think I'll surpass the 3GB cap, but if I did my ability to webmaster especially would be hampered.

I'd love true uncapped, but R1500 is more than I can afford.

 

[KikzAzz]

-
IS (Internet solutions) are going to act as an independant ADSL ISP soon. Keep an eye on these forums.

What can be expected from IS if acting as independant ADSL ISP. The line installation/rental will still be supplied by Telkom. What service could be offered that the existing ISP's, UUNET included, can't provide?

 

[ic]

What can be expected from IS if acting as independant ADSL ISP. The line installation/rental will still be supplied by Telkom. What service could be offered that the existing ISP's, UUNET included, can't provide?

The same could be said of UUNET SA (MCI) Uncapped, apart from the uncapped you are still paying Telkomonopoly a huge amount every month for your ordinary old copper line billed as an ADSL rental, we all know this, yet both UUNET & IS would be adding some value over & above what Telkomonopoly would restrict everyone to. Also, these are not offerings that will suite everyone - probably mainly aimed at businesses.

The point is: COMPETITION to TELKOMONOPOLY. Also it is customers that ultimately bring down prices in a competitive environment - simply by voting with their feet.

 

[hArTh]

Broadband's Death Valley indeed.

In San Francisco where I lived before Cape Town, I could pick up as many as 10 wireless networks sitting in my car on any given street corner - and finding one with no PW protection was never tough. Granted SF is maybe the most wired city in the US, but SA's dysfunction is startling.

I need I can give you some idea of the performance you can expect if you tell me what you will be using it for.


I am going to be telecommuting to the states, doing pretty simple webmastering. I'll also be doing graphic design which requires the occasional upload to a server. And a lot of websurfing and emailing. I don't think I'll surpass the 3GB cap, but if I did my ability to webmaster especially would be hampered.

I'd love true uncapped, but R1500 is more than I can afford.

Doesnt sound as if you will run into too many shaping issues.

I suggest the following:

-Get 2 adsl accounts.
-As soon as one is capped use it for local traffic. Local is unlimited after you are capped. (But before being capped both local and international count towards the cap ... go figure.).
-Keep remaining account for international use.

With this system you get 6 GB of international bandwidth and unlimited local bandwidth. You can automate this with a linux server and use both accounts at the same time.

 

[hArTh]

What can be expected from IS if acting as independant ADSL ISP. The line installation/rental will still be supplied by Telkom. What service could be offered that the existing ISP's, UUNET included, can't provide?

Differing shaping policies.
Cheaper bandwidth chunks.
Etc.

 

[@frica]

-Get 2 adsl accounts.
-As soon as one is capped use it for local traffic. Local is unlimited after you are capped. (But before being capped both local and international count towards the cap ... go figure.).
-Keep remaining account for international use.

With this system you get 6 GB of international bandwidth and unlimited local bandwidth. You can automate this with a linux server and use both accounts at the same time.

Thanks for the feedback - getting 2 accounts sounds like the cheapest sure fire way to deal with the capping issue. Will forge ahead, hold my nose, and order through Telkom.

 

[ic]

...Will forge ahead, hold my nose, and order through Telkom.

LOL, yes you need a sense of humour when dealing with [thread=17192]"the best Telcoms company in the world"...[/thread]