Further to the article on prepaid carry-over top-up bandwidth, I decided to look for a bundled monthly deal. I mean, the ADSL line needs to be paid monthly, so there’s no point in looking for prepaid bandwidth deals so as to avoid a monthly fee. So, the aim of this exercise was to find the best ADSL bundle that includes the ADSL line (Telkom fee of R152) and at least 1GB bandwidth.
My criteria for choosing the best deal for me:
- Price (that includes the ADSL line plus 1GB bandwidth, no setup fees nor hidden fees!)
- Free ADSL modem/router (wireless would be a bonus) with no limitations on using another ISP (watch out for ISP locked modems)
- Length of contract (ideally a month-to-month deal would be better)
- Ease of purchase, in other words, able to pay with credit card with auto top-up facility
- Support (ie: not an 0861 number, preferably toll free ie: 0800 number, and instant messenger support)
- Reliability
- Speed: shaped or unshaped – not really a factor for the basic user
- Local bandwidth when bandwidth runs out.
Most people would start by ordering the bundle from Telkom or upgrading their current dialup account with their ISP eg: MWeb.
So, let’s see what these two companies (and others) have on offer:
Telkom’s “do Broadband” offering start at R199 per month and includes the ADSL line (Fast DSL ie; up to 384kbps) plus 1GB data and 10GB of local-only data.
Sign a 2 year contract and get a free Wifi ADSL modem/router. Note that any unused data is lost and does not carry over.
You can of course purchase the ADSL line only and get data from any ISP – see Another take on the *Pre-Paid ADSL* currently on offer in South Africa
Look at the Closer bundles that also bundle call costs into the ADSL access: Telkom Closer
Other “do Broadband” offerings:
* do Broadband 2 for R258: includes the ADSL line (Fast DSL ie; up to 384kbps) plus 3GB data and 20GB of local-only data.
* do Broadband 3 for R554: includes the ADSL line (Fastest DSL ie; up to 4096kbps) plus 5GB data and 30GB of local-only data.
SAOL.com:
* 6 months @ R95, then 18 @ R189 per month: 384k ADSL line, 1GB data, 5 mailboxes, 10MB web space (static), no setup fee. BUT: 2 year contract, no free ADSL router, R95 for the 1st 6 months, then R189 per month.
So, monthly cost over 24 months = R165.50 per month.
* R99 per month: 384k ADSL line, no international data, 1 mailbox, 10GB local-only access. BUT: local-only, no free ADSL modem.
So, monthly cost = R99 + R(prepaid data) per month.
* R189 per month: 384k ADSL line, 1GB data, 5 mailboxes, 10MB web space (static), free ADSL modem/1 port router, free .co.za domain registration. BUT: 2 year contract, setup fee of R395.
So, monthly cost over 24 months = R205.46 per month.
* 12 months @ R138, then 12 @ R189 per month: 384k 384kb ADSL line, 1GB data, 20 GB local data, free 4 port ADSL router, 5 mailboxes, 10MB web space (static). BUT: 2 year contract, setup fee of R395.
So, monthly cost over 24 months = R179.96 per month.
Nashua Mobile Internet (Internet-lessness):
* R139: 12 month contract, 384kbps ADSL line, 1GB ADSL Data, 4 x 4GB POP Mailbox, Billion Wireless ADSL Router. BUT: after 1st 12 months the cost is R195 per month; ADSL router is locked so you can’t use another ISP’s topups unless you purchase another ADSL modem (about R300) and switch to it when you run out of the initial 1GB each month. NashuaMobile 1GB top-ups cost R95 with no carry over. After the initial 12 month period they will unlock your ADSL router for free then you can use it with other ISP’s top-up data.
So, monthly cost over 1st 12 months = R139.00 per month.
So, monthly cost over 24 months = R167.00 per month.
* R169 per month: no contract, 384 Kbs ADSL line, 1GB, setup fee: R275 (once off), free ADSL router included, free delivery, free 1x POTS filter, (sign a 2 year contract then there’s no R275 setup fee).
By the way, CyberSmart seems to be the same company in a different guise as saol.com. I sent a support request to info@saol.com and I got a reply from their support system with subject: “[cybersmart.co.za #91nnnnn]”.
MWeb ADSL All Inclusive Bundle:
* 6 months @ R145, then 6 @ R199 per month: 12 month contract, 384kbps ADSL line, 1GB ADSL Data, 10 GB local-only, Wireless ADSL Router. BUT: after 1st 6 months cost is R199 per month; ADSL router is locked so you can’t use another ISP’s topups unless you purchase another ADSL modem (about R300) and switch to it when you run out of the initial 1GB each month.
So, monthly cost over 1st 12 months = R172.00 per month.
So, monthly cost over 24 months = R185.50 per month.
So, it seems like the Nashua Mobile offering is the best for me since it has the wireless modem/router included (even though it’s locked) @ R167 per month (over 2 years).
MWeb would cost R185.50 per month (over 2 years).
Telkom would cost R199 per month (over 2 years).
Here's more advice on getting ADSL:
What will I need?
1) An ADSL line: monthly cost: FastDSL: R152 pm (entry level speed: 384kbps) OR FasterDSL: R326 pm (512kbps) OR FastestDSL: R413 pm (4096kbps)
http://www.telkom.co.za/products_services/dsl/cost_dsl_cost.html
2) An ADSL modem (your analog modem eg: 56Kb analog modem cannot be used for ADSL (the 'D' in ADSL means "digital"). I recommend signing a contract and getting a free ADSL modem. If you are techie, and know what's going on, then you might want to choose your own.... The Telkom modem provides 4 network points and wireless connections too.
Note: your new ADSL modem/router will need to plug in to your computer – it will need a LAN card in your computer or a USB port.
3) Someone to install the ADSL modem: ask Telkom to do it and they will charge you R490. I recommend going for the Self Install Option (or SIO) and do it yourself! It's not that difficult, and if you get stuck there's the Telkom 24 hour help line (0800 375 375)
See here for more info: http://www.telkom.co.za/products_services/dsl/cost_dsl_cost.html
4) An ISP (Internet Service Provider)... this is an item where you have a choice..... "bundled" or any other ISP...
WebAfrica: http://www.webafrica.co.za/adsl/prepaid/ where you won't lose any unused bandwidth (and their service is really great!)
Here’s another list of prepaid bandwidth providers: the best prepaid bandwidth in South Africa
Good luck
See here for other HTT articles on ADSL accounts:
- Stop throwing away unused ADSL bandwidth at the end of every month.... http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/07/stop-throwing-away-unused-adsl.html
- Cheap, very cheap is not so cheap! False Advertising! I'm getting really P'd off hearing that ADSL-ad on CapeTalk all the time! http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/09/cheap-very-cheap-is-not-so-cheap-false.html
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