{"id":415326,"date":"2021-09-23T09:40:19","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T07:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=415326"},"modified":"2021-09-23T09:43:26","modified_gmt":"2021-09-23T07:43:26","slug":"dstv-internet-pricing-has-a-big-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadband\/415326-dstv-internet-pricing-has-a-big-problem.html","title":{"rendered":"DStv Internet pricing has a big problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

MultiChoice’s newly launched DStv Internet has a problem – it is more expensive than many existing fixed-LTE and 5G products from mobile networks in South Africa.<\/p>\n

The pay-TV broadcaster launched its new product on Tuesday<\/strong><\/a>, saying it was diversifying its offering in an ongoing evolution from a traditional video entertainment business.<\/p>\n

DStv Internet is a fixed wireless service that operates on MTN’s network, with three capped LTE mobile data packages to choose from.<\/p>\n

These can be purchased on either a SIM-only month-to-month basis or a 24-month contract with a router.<\/p>\n

However, our comparisons have shown it would be cheaper to buy fixed-LTE packages directly from MTN.<\/p>\n

All of the operator’s packages with the same or more data were cheaper than DStv Internet.<\/p>\n

The SIM-only offer on the 25GB + 25GB package, for example, cost R199 from DStv Internet, while MTN charges the same amount for its MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 50GB + 50GB product.<\/p>\n

The 110GB + 110GB option from DStv Internet comes in at R479 for a SIM-only package, while MTN charges R399.<\/p>\n

The difference becomes even more noticeable at the higher end, with the 220GB + 220GB offer costing R779 from DStv Internet, while MTN advertises a 250GB + 250GB product for R599.<\/p>\n

Similar mobile data offers from Cell C and Rain were also cheaper.<\/p>\n

The table below compares prices of DStv Internet with capped fixed-LTE packages from MTN and Cell C, and 5G uncapped packages from Rain.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
DStv Internet vs MTN vs Cell C vs Rain<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Package<\/strong><\/td>\nAnytime data<\/strong><\/td>\nNight-time data<\/strong><\/td>\nSIM-only<\/strong><\/td>\nWith router<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C Home Connecta Flexi 25GB + 25GB<\/td>\n25GB<\/td>\n25GB<\/td>\nR179<\/td>\nR269<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 50GB + 50GB<\/td>\n50GB<\/td>\n50GB<\/td>\nR199<\/td>\nR269<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cell C Home Connecta Flexi 50GB + 50GB<\/td>\n50GB<\/td>\n50GB<\/td>\nR199<\/td>\nR289<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv Internet 25GB + 25GB<\/td>\n25GB<\/td>\n25GB<\/td>\nR199<\/strong><\/td>\nR229<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 110GB + 110GB<\/td>\n110GB<\/td>\n110GB<\/td>\nR399<\/td>\nR499<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv Internet 110GB + 110GB<\/td>\n110GB<\/td>\n110GB<\/td>\nR479<\/strong><\/td>\nR499<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rain 5G Basic<\/td>\nUncapped 25Mbps<\/td>\nUncapped 25Mbps<\/td>\n–<\/td>\nR499<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 250GB + 250GB<\/td>\n250GB<\/td>\n250GB<\/td>\nR599<\/td>\nR699<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rain 5G Standard<\/td>\nUncapped 50Mbps<\/td>\nUncapped 30Mbps<\/td>\n–<\/td>\nR699<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv Internet 220GB + 220GB<\/td>\n220GB<\/td>\n220GB<\/td>\nR779<\/strong><\/td>\nR799<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The one advantage of the SIM-only offers on DStv Internet is that they are available on a month-to-month basis.<\/p>\n

However, you have to purchase one of two routers to use this offer, which will cost you either R1,300 or R1,800.<\/p>\n

MTN’s fixed-LTE also requires certain routers, but in its case, there are nine models available.<\/p>\n

According to MyBroadband’s testing, Cell C’s Home Connecta Flexi packages work in any LTE device, even a smartphone, so you won’t have to spend extra on a router.<\/p>\n

In addition, Cell C’s packages are available on prepaid, so there is no long-term commitment.<\/p>\n

Rain only offers its 5G packages with free-to-use routers, but these can be taken out on a month-to-month basis and returned once the product is cancelled.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bundles<\/h3>\n

Combining a DStv subscription and DStv Internet package<\/a><\/strong> is where the product shows a better value proposition.<\/p>\n

For example, pairing the 25GB DStv Internet product with a DStv Premium subscription will cost you R949, compared to the R1,098 you would pay if you opted for a Cell C Home Connecta Flexi Prepaid SIM with a router.<\/p>\n

Combining the 110GB DStv Internet product with a DStv Premium subscription will cost you R1,179, compared to the R1,328 you would pay if you opted for a MyMTN Home Wi-Fi package with the same data and a router.<\/p>\n

There were no 220GB packages available to compare it to, although it should be noted the price difference between the bundled DStv Internet option with 220GB and DStv Premium + MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 250GB was small.<\/p>\n

If you are a DStv subscriber and don’t have an uncapped fibre or 5G package available, DStv Internet may be a good option for you, provided you are willing to enter into a 24-month contract.<\/p>\n

However, we could not sign up for these new bundles using an existing DStv Premium account via the online portal, so it’s not clear how these bundles can be accessed.<\/p>\n

The table below shows how the bundled options compare with paying for a DStv Premium subscription and alternative fixed-LTE packages purchased separately.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
DStv Internet 25GB vs Cell C Home Connect Flexi Prepaid 25GB<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv package type<\/strong><\/th>\nDStv + Internet bundle<\/strong><\/th>\nDStv package + Cell C<\/strong><\/th>\nDifference<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium<\/td>\nR949<\/td>\nR1,098<\/td>\n14%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compact Plus<\/td>\nR679<\/td>\nR808<\/td>\n16%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compact<\/td>\nR549<\/td>\nR678<\/td>\n19%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Family<\/td>\nR445<\/td>\nR564<\/td>\n21%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Access<\/td>\nR285<\/td>\nR384<\/td>\n26%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv Internet 110GB vs MyMTN Home Wi-Fi 110GB<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
DStv package type<\/strong><\/th>\nDStv + Internet bundle<\/strong><\/th>\nDStv package + MTN<\/strong><\/th>\nDifference<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Premium<\/td>\nR1,179<\/td>\nR1,328<\/td>\n11%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compact Plus<\/td>\nR939<\/td>\nR1,038<\/td>\n10%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Compact<\/td>\nR819<\/td>\nR908<\/td>\n10%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Family<\/td>\nR719<\/td>\nR794<\/td>\n9%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Access<\/td>\nR555<\/td>\nR614<\/td>\n10%<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Now read: Scrap TV licences \u2014 SABC wants a TV tax<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MultiChoice’s DStv Internet is more expensive than many existing fixed-LTE and 5G products from mobile networks in South Africa. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":341042,"featured_media":415090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sma_x_autopost_status":"idle","_sma_x_autopost_error":"","_sma_x_post_id":"","_sma_facebook_post_id":"","_sma_instagram_post_id":"","_sma_x_attempts":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[355,71814,85,72522,35,42,475,72590,43716,61659,72592],"class_list":["post-415326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-broadband","tag-cell-c","tag-cell-c-home-connecta","tag-dstv","tag-dstv-internet","tag-headline","tag-mtn","tag-multichoice","tag-mymtn-home-wi-fi","tag-rain","tag-rain-5g","tag-rain-5g-basic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415326"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/341042"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415326"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":415574,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415326\/revisions\/415574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/415090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}