Replacing ADSL with LTE - my 100 day journey

Azimuth

Azimuth

Expert Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2,314
Reaction score
89
Location
Null
This thread is kinda a spin off to this one: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=11221395.

I'd like to change direction and not just talk about speedtests and one particular cellular data provider. Since I'm quite far in already, I'm going to stitch together some posts leading up to this point. Stay tuned. :)

Edit: 14-Feb-2014 My 100 days are long since up and I failed to create a good blog. My humble apologies for the failure. :(
 
Last edited:
The day I can download 150gb per month for the price of ADSL I will also switch over.
 
oober said:
The day I can download 150gb per month for the price of ADSL I will also switch over.
Click to expand...

Let me modify that statement: live streaming 150GB per month will be awesome no doubt. For now I can live with maybe 50GB per month. If I were to switch off DSTV and rely solely on my Apple TV, the figure could go up a bit more.

I reckon ADSL should remain the realm of downloading. If everyone downloads on LTE I don't think it'd be sustainable. I imagine this will be regulated through higher prices.
 
Can you guys please provide with a link for the prepaid deals on the huawei b593 as I am struggling with TM's site.

Thanx
 
Good time to start again. Your thread has inspired me to dump my horrible adsl. 4mbps line and account with a solids 1mbps dl after numerous fault logs and tests. Lol. Don't have time for that as my needs are mainly the same as yours : streaming > dl.

Looking at getting the same antennas etc but for now only the b593 to see what speeds can be achieved with the internal antenna only. Reckon it will still kick the butt off my adsl.
 
Great! Let us know how your personal journey progresses. :)
 
The Telkom guys have been doing ??? in our area. Where I used to have a stable*, although slow service despite my 4MB line, I've been down twice now in a week. The first call was resolved speedily at Telkom, the second ...I'm typing this using CellC data on an oldish Mecer WM81 stick connected to my laptop (win XP) doing internet sharing (boer maak 'n plan approach). Even so it's been an eye opener. My speeds are fast.

My ultimate goal is availability since my profession is in IT and being connected is a necessity. Telkom simply cannot deliver. Considering I pay close to a total of R1000/month for line rental and my ISP, I have a bit of space to maneuver.

As such I'd be glad to hear about your experiences.
 
Gosh, I've kinda moved on already and have accepted LTE as my standard for the foreseeable future. The need to document this for others is noted!
 
So, I took the leap and bought the special from Telkom for R4099.

Got the modem setup and boy oh boy. I am honestly suprised.

I do not have the speed test results at hand as I am posting this but will post them over the weekend.

Long story short => with just the two paddle antennas and a signal strength of -96db (3 bars) I am getting a consistent 25mbps DL and 6mbps UL.

This is way more than what I was expecting without external antennas.

I am hooked on LTE. Thanx @Wirelesswarrior for the inspiration.

20131125_182544.jpg
20131125_182601.jpg
20131125_182634.jpg
 
Haha awesome! I can't tell you how many mobile data (Afrihost) and LTE concepts I've already sold. Telkom Mobile, Afrihost and MTN should pay me! :p

Interestingly those external paddle antennas seem to be "snake oil". I could get no measurable difference using them.
 
Last edited:
Wirelesswarrior said:
Haha awesome! I can't tell you how many mobile data (Afrihost) and LTE concepts I've already sold. Telkom Mobile, Afrihost and MTN should pay me! :p

Interestingly those external paddle antennas seem to be "snake oil". I could get no measurable difference using them.
Click to expand...

Especially with MTN's impressive LTE coverage.... I'm like LTE crazy now. I make sure I take my iphone 5 everywhere to check LTE coverage ALL over. By the looks of thing MTN for some reason is taking LTE way more serious than the other providers.... I have yet to see vodacom LTE anywhere close to me but my iphone is stuck on MTN LTE for like 90% of the places I go....
 
sajunky said:
The only network covering my area with LTE is TM. For 3G MTN is on the last place.
Click to expand...

This shockes me actually cause a small town like mine even have LTE in the townships.... Yes so it doesn't make sense on how MTN chooses to do the upgrades for LTE....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X