Why do people still join Wireless Internet Service Providers

[Vin]

It all sounds good. But the Cost to it because most of the wisp's is now more expensive than a telkom line with an ISP.

Example: I'm paying R900 per month for my 4mb uncapped account line rental included. The avarage price for a wisp
uncapped 512kb/s account is between R649 and R1750. The same 4mb line with a wisp is anything between R2499 - R5000 per month.

Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

Have a look at Amobia. I am paying R 649 for 2 mbps line uncapped (shaped). This is the total cost, no telkom line rental etc.
The installation was a bit expensive (R2K), but if you dont have telkom infrastructure than they are definately worth it.

 

[gerasmus]

WISP

For people like me, living in the rural outback, WISP is the only way the only way to internet. ADSL, I dream about ADSL.

And because of where we are located there is usually no competition and WISP can usually charge whatever they like. You either pay up, move, or you have no connection. It's a choice to make. At the moment, to move is just about out of the question.
The drop in ADSL prices over the last 9 months did not make one bit of difference to my pocket. My WISP did not drop prices. I also don't expect things to change. Even if we have 24Mb ADSL for R200pm I am sure the price change will not filter down, I will probably still be paying my current rate, more than R1000 pm for a 512k that behaves like 128k. Although our town is (apparently) economically the fastest growing town in all of South Africa (booming in fact, leaving dust in Sandton's eyes) there is no plans to get fibre to Ellisras. Seeing our closest neighbouring town (Vaalwater) from Ellisras is 110km away, and about 1/10th the size of Ellisras (in other words Vallwater is barely on a map) and 285km from the Zambesi offramp on the N1 it would probably cost a fortune to get fibre to Ellisras. Who's going to be that crazy to spend millions ? We can only hope that Eskom or Exxaro (who operates the local mines here) would put it in their budget planning for 2015.

In case you wanna go and look it up, here is my GPS Coordinates for Google Maps: -23.68944, 27.74028

If I could've gone on ADSL, I would've long time ago. I would've dropped WISP like a hot potato. If only I could just get a speed of no less than 1,5mb then at least it would've meant that I could use Youtube, Webradio and on-demand video. Why pay for DSTV when one can get everything on Youtube with a decent 2mb line ?

Yes, you may be thinking. Stop moaning, and start one yourself !

 

[StrongTurd]

Off topic @ gerasmus: Very nice pozzie you've got there, I must say.

 

[gerasmus]

Off topic @ gerasmus: Very nice pozzie you've got there, I must say.

Thanks ! We've got some Nyala's, Rowan and Sable antelope etc grazing around the house. And that is no joke ! I just wish in summer we could get the max temp down with at leat 12C.

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

i'm paying r250 for my parents wisp for a 64kb connection. They only have a prepaid telkom line and not willing to upgrade. I considered other options as its slow, but any other option seems far more expensive.

 

[HideInLight]

No choice, lack of growth and a lack of "specialists".

 

[Rouxenator]

WISPs like Amobia are excellent if you are a moderate user and you want a Telkom alternative. Their latencies are low - but latency is only important for gamerz kiddz so its not a concern.

 

[Jagtiger]

WISPs like Amobia are excellent if you are a moderate user and you want a Telkom alternative. Their latencies are low - but latency is only important for gamerz kiddz so its not a concern.

What WISP then for hardcore users?

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

uninet sent me their new prices and i must say i was surprised. R350 for a 512 uncapped and shaped while r500 unshaped and uncapped. Not bad at all.

 

[battletoad]

uninet sent me their new prices and i must say i was surprised. R350 for a 512 uncapped and shaped while r500 unshaped and uncapped. Not bad at all.

Is there a coverage map somewhere? Sounds interesting, and cant wait any longer for dsl.
I take it for most wisps theres a R3000 initial cost?

 

[portcullis]

I take it for most wisps theres a R3000 initial cost?

We charge between R900 and R2,500 depending on distance from the access point and the frequency that the client wishes to make use of.

 

[snail]

I pay R600 a month for a true uncapped (yes......no FUP, no threshholds, no shaping) 512k line.

 

[SilverNodashi]

I pay R600 a month for a true uncapped (yes......no FUP, no threshholds, no shaping) 512k line.

with whom?