Afrihost streaming is rubbish for me - Alternatives?

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pimpassdaddy

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Hi Guys

I've been pulling my hair out over my adsl account. At first it was fine, but for the last 3 months or so, I CANNOT stream an HD video without it buffering. It sometimes battles on 480p. I even cancelled Netflix because I couldnt watch a single episode. I have a 4mb Afrihost Capped account (line runs around 6mb).

I then did an experiment. I've always had a WebAfrica account as back-up. I connected to that (after 3 years), and tested the same video on Youtube. On WebAfrica, BOOM... Streams brilliantly with the buffer running miles ahead. I go back to Afrihost, and it buffers, and buffers and buffers.

I can't take this anymore, and remember Supersport/DSTV warning about Afrihost. Is there an alternative?

I don't really like WebAfrica's package. This 12am to 6am extra data is bulls**t.

Openweb?
Vox?
 
Don't feel bad, I have the same issue with all streaming vids and this is on an uncapped unshaped 6Mb business line. Been like this for over a month now.
 
pimpassdaddy said:
Hi Guys

I've been pulling my hair out over my adsl account. At first it was fine, but for the last 3 months or so, I CANNOT stream an HD video without it buffering. It sometimes battles on 480p. I even cancelled Netflix because I couldnt watch a single episode. I have a 4mb Afrihost Capped account (line runs around 6mb).

I then did an experiment. I've always had a WebAfrica account as back-up. I connected to that (after 3 years), and tested the same video on Youtube. On WebAfrica, BOOM... Streams brilliantly with the buffer running miles ahead. I go back to Afrihost, and it buffers, and buffers and buffers.

I can't take this anymore, and remember Supersport/DSTV warning about Afrihost. Is there an alternative?

I don't really like WebAfrica's package. This 12am to 6am extra data is bulls**t.

Openweb?
Vox?
Click to expand...

I'm following this thread! I have the exact same issues. I signed up for WebAfrica 5GB just for streaming, but I never ever use my internet between 12-6am, so I don't like their package structures. Let's see what the guys here come up with!
 
pimpassdaddy said:
Hi Guys

I've been pulling my hair out over my adsl account. At first it was fine, but for the last 3 months or so, I CANNOT stream an HD video without it buffering. It sometimes battles on 480p. I even cancelled Netflix because I couldnt watch a single episode. I have a 4mb Afrihost Capped account (line runs around 6mb).

I then did an experiment. I've always had a WebAfrica account as back-up. I connected to that (after 3 years), and tested the same video on Youtube. On WebAfrica, BOOM... Streams brilliantly with the buffer running miles ahead. I go back to Afrihost, and it buffers, and buffers and buffers.

I can't take this anymore, and remember Supersport/DSTV warning about Afrihost. Is there an alternative?

I don't really like WebAfrica's package. This 12am to 6am extra data is bulls**t.

Openweb?
Vox?
Click to expand...

i highly recommend the vox fatpipe with the uncapped bolt-on from lantic

https://www.lantic.net/connectivity/adsl/uncapped-adsl/adsl-uncapped-bolt-on

i have been using this for the last 3 years and have not had a days problem. streaming hd and no buffering
 
pimpassdaddy said:
Hi Guys

I've been pulling my hair out over my adsl account. At first it was fine, but for the last 3 months or so, I CANNOT stream an HD video without it buffering. It sometimes battles on 480p. I even cancelled Netflix because I couldnt watch a single episode. I have a 4mb Afrihost Capped account (line runs around 6mb).

I then did an experiment. I've always had a WebAfrica account as back-up. I connected to that (after 3 years), and tested the same video on Youtube. On WebAfrica, BOOM... Streams brilliantly with the buffer running miles ahead. I go back to Afrihost, and it buffers, and buffers and buffers.

I can't take this anymore, and remember Supersport/DSTV warning about Afrihost. Is there an alternative?

I don't really like WebAfrica's package. This 12am to 6am extra data is bulls**t.

Openweb?
Vox?
Click to expand...

If you really don't wanna use Web Africa's download plus hours, but still capped, then definitely VOX. VOX's capped data also rolls over. Probably the best capped data in the country. Everything works full speed, even international streaming like Twitch and Netflix.

Check the Twitch link in my thread if you wanna see more.
 
Aquiva said:
I'm following this thread! I have the exact same issues. I signed up for WebAfrica 5GB just for streaming, but I never ever use my internet between 12-6am, so I don't like their package structures. Let's see what the guys here come up with!
Click to expand...

The download plus hours are awesome for scheduled downloads like torrents or newservers.
 
I was with Telkom uncapped and had occasional buffering. Then moved to Openweb. Had similar problems. Then I got Webafrica capped. I haven't had problems since then. I am a happy steamer.
 
Afiak VOX is up for sale, who know if their service will remain the same?

Any news on how well Crystalweb performs on streaming?
 
pimpassdaddy said:
Hi Guys

I've been pulling my hair out over my adsl account. At first it was fine, but for the last 3 months or so, I CANNOT stream an HD video without it buffering. It sometimes battles on 480p. I even cancelled Netflix because I couldnt watch a single episode. I have a 4mb Afrihost Capped account (line runs around 6mb).

I then did an experiment. I've always had a WebAfrica account as back-up. I connected to that (after 3 years), and tested the same video on Youtube. On WebAfrica, BOOM... Streams brilliantly with the buffer running miles ahead. I go back to Afrihost, and it buffers, and buffers and buffers.

I can't take this anymore, and remember Supersport/DSTV warning about Afrihost. Is there an alternative?

I don't really like WebAfrica's package. This 12am to 6am extra data is bulls**t.

Openweb?
Vox?
Click to expand...

I've been with Crystalweb for the month of July and streaming is perfect anytime of day. Last month was with Afrihost, streaming was horrible as soon as their shaper kicked in. Funny seeing as realtime shouldn't be shaped.
 
ngwe23 said:
I was with Telkom uncapped and had occasional buffering. Then moved to Openweb. Had similar problems. Then I got Webafrica capped. I haven't had problems since then. I am a happy steamer.
Click to expand...

I've actually decided to go the WebAfrica route. They were always great but just got too expensive. I went for the 60gig + 60gig capped package. I think thats a good choice.

Got a 7 day Mweb account to test, great streaming too. But I noticed that the WebAfrica site wouldn't load when connected to Mweb... hahahahahaha. Had to complete my sign up via 3G.

I'm so happy my streaming is where it needs to be. I was so so so frustrated.

Afrihost account cancelled!!! Pity! They have great Support. Streaming is 0/10!!!
 
Last edited:
Does any body know who owns VOX ? also Crystalweb being so very new, how will they shape the internet for users.

Afrihost and Mweb have been bought. Surely now with the combination of infrastructure and data side this will pave a new path for internet connectivity. A lot of new users are on the afrihost/mtn network it seems. also plenty on mweb.

The main query would be when do we get given new pipes across the ocean floor for international bandwidth.
Apparently last Friday seacom was downed for maintenance and said this would be improved as well. I my self have not experienced any better browsing to say the least never mind streaming being any better.

Currently for streaming, unshaped capped data probably the best way to go, the acceptable usage policies on the uncapped services are all the same really.
 
The craziest thing has happened... My google maps loads instantly via browser ever since moving from Afrihost.

It would load DEAD SLOW, but now it's instant. Anyone with a similar finding?
 
Afrihost doesn't have sufficient exclusions for "legitimate" traffic over http. Windows updates, linux OS sources, google maps, online hosted services, even small file downloads. Capped is better, but even there a lot of forum feedback is coming back with negative feedback at the moment.

Get the 2GB WA account or similar and give it a shot, you might be surprised.
 
Gatsby said:
Funny seeing as realtime shouldn't be shaped.
Click to expand...

Shaping means nothing when the other end of the pipe is restricted by for example insufficient bandwidth allocation (Afriman mentioned the cost balance issue). You pays your money and makes your choice.
 
I am on a Afrihost capped account and also very frustrated with the streaming of any DSTV and Live Supersport. it does not look that Afrihost has come out with a solution for this. Even Afriman's silence on this important subject is deafening. Why is it that CAPPED account get throttled? Anyone else experience the same problem?
 
I can't even stream Twitch on Medium quality..

Yet i change to Webafrica and i can stream it without a hitch on highest.

Kills me slowly
 
onexios said:
Does any body know who owns VOX ? also Crystalweb being so very new, how will they shape the internet for users.
Click to expand...

All streaming traffic on our accounts happens in an uncontended pool. In other words streaming is never shaped on our uncapped accounts. This is by design.
 
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