WiMax -Telkom vs iBurst

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wow4life

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I have returned to South Africa from the UK and Telkom have given me a date of end Feb 2009 for an adsl connection.

Dismayed ... I am investigating WiMax. Both iBurst and Telkm seem to cover the area but the prices seem quite different. Herewith the information that I have gathered:

Telkom WiMax
Installation: R543.89
Monthly: R240.00 (excl isp account)
Equipment: R0.00 (remain's Telkom's property)

iBurst
Installation: tbc
Monthly: R800-R10,000 depending on the option chosen bu I assume it includes the isp
Equipment: R5180.00

In summary:
(1) Telkom seems a lot cheaper and gives me the choice of ISP. I am looking for an unshaped account
(2) iBurst have more options (including 1024kbps and no/low contention packages).

Question:
- Have a correctly understood the situation?
- Does anyone have experience of the two i.e. which is better from a service and stability perspective?

Thanks
 
Currently I am in an area with no ADSL so I got myself iBurst as the other providers had no coverage. Recently however I applied for WiMax as Telkom now covers my area. I would not recommend iBurst to anyone as their customer service does not exist. If you have LOS to the closest WiMax tower in you area rather go for that. The monthly rental is cheap and you can decide which ISP to use.
 
As I understand it WiMax connects directly into a Telkom exchange like ADSL does. You will then be able to use any ADSL ISP account on WiMax. I am still waiting for my WiMax install so I speak under correction.
 
One word of advice - avoid the singularly inept accounts department of iburps at all costs.

Try to go for month-to-month if possible, and keep your invoices for a long, long time. If not, stay away.
 
Thanks - I am going to give this a go and then use an unshaped or semi-shaped account, probably from one of the recommended trio of WebAfrica, Vanilla or Axxess.
 
Telkom Wimax is obviously more flexible, as you can choose from any ADSL isp's service offerings.
 
I am very happy with my Telkom WiMax. Using WA as my IPS. I have an unshaped acount, but I don't think it is really worth it.

1Gig shaped = R69
1Gig unshaped = R125

I do alot of downloading and online gaming and the shaped accounts is working very good for me. :D

I have done almost 6Gigs in one day (note that it was only torrents)

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=7616&cat=500
 
Its interesting that many people are put off by the ineptitude of Ibursts account department in favour of the ineptitude of Telkom. When my sentech goes phut I am looking at the wimax option too (thats why I am reading this) and there seems to be a lean towards Telkom instead of Iburst. Odd that Telkom could be a viable alternative to poor service when they actually partly wrote the book on poor service.
 
LoL, I don't think any WiMax user struggled like the ADSL users with their installs and support?!?!
 
Any idea when Wimax will get a speed boost? I'm just getting on the wimax bandwagon now, so being Telkom I guess it's in the same league as asking when ADSL2 will launch?
 
I applied for WiMax last week - only to be told that it will take 6 weeks due to a shortage of equipment in the country.

This is seriously killing me :/
 
I'm using Telkom's WiMAX and am very happy. Even the ping times are on par with those of ADSL. Also, I am regularly able to max out the line (or is that air). I use Axxess as my ISP as they were the only at the time I got my WiMAX who could confirm without any hesitation that WiMAX would work. Am happy with them anyway.
 
I am with WA. Been thinking about the speed thing...

WiMax is 512kbps and we always get like 60kb/s for R240/month.
4mb ADSL averages at 300kb/s (from what I have seen) and is (R124+R468) = R580 if I am correct.

So, ADSL is 2.4 times more expensive, but the speed is 5 times faster... :confused:

WE NEED A SPEED UPGRADE ON WIMAX!

Correct me if I am wrong... :D
 
My calculations have also shown WiMax to be cheaper.

There is a chance I might relocate to Kenya mid next year for awhile - so the race is on to see if Telkom delivers before I leave :)
 
No, the price is only a bit more, but the speed difference is bigger, so I would go for the ADSL, that's why I say that we need a speed upgrade on the WiMax.

What is the 512kbps ADSL line rental?
 
Telkom WIMAX 512 is cheaper than Telkom ADSL 512

WIMAX 512 R240.00
ADSL 512 R326

As most WIMAX users know that you get more speed from your 512WIMAX than ADSL.
 
Wimax FTW. Been waiting almost 1 year 10 months for my ADSL to be installed after I was told my area is ADSL ready.

Went the Wimax route and I'm loving it. Speed is consistent and so to say maxes out all the time when downloading stuff. Cheaper then ADSL 512 and got it installed quickly and gaming pings are good. +-20ms slower the ADSL users.
 
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