Internet connection speed

[Martinco]

I visited my son in the states last month and just for interest sake did a speed test on his internet connection via his WiFi.
How is this ? 22Mbits/s download and 12Mbits/s upload !
It is actually amazing to be able to connect at such speeds where you now find that your PC is too slow to keep up.

He was quite surprised that we still have an option to buy Gig packages as there they pay for a connection and that is it .

[Dave A]

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[Blurock]

...and being ripped off because we have no alternatives.

[popayetwo]

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Well said, Dave. I couldn't agree more.

[Pap_sak]

Could be wrong but I did hear that our 3G, edge type connections where quite good value compared to the rest of the world. Of course we get absolutely shafted on voice calls...

[SilverNodashi]

Not everyone in "the states" have that either. I know quite a few people, in Arizone & Virginia how have the same as we have. My one friend used to brag with his T1 line @ home, till he used our 4MB ADSL which according to him is much faster than his $60/pm T1 line.

[popayetwo]

Not everyone in "the states" have that either. I know quite a few people, in Arizone & Virginia how have the same as we have. My one friend used to brag with his T1 line @ home, till he used our 4MB ADSL which according to him is much faster than his $60/pm T1 line.

I think the point was they have a much wider choice. We are limited in choice and the cost is much higher here for what is available.
But with Telkom's revenue from traditional phones falling and that from data services rising, one would expect them to lower their price, but no - they believe in milking the cash cow for all its worth until it drops dead, then go on to the next cow.

[Just Gone]

I have just installed a 2mg adsl line at home thro mweb !! I am so unhappy with it - it works then doesnt then works then doesnt ........

[SilverNodashi]

I think the point was they have a much wider choice. We are limited in choice and the cost is much higher here for what is available.
But with Telkom's revenue from traditional phones falling and that from data services rising, one would expect them to lower their price, but no - they believe in milking the cash cow for all its worth until it drops dead, then go on to the next cow.

Yes, but we're comparing a 1st world county with a much stronger economy, and at least 100 years advancement in technology, as well as service delivery to a 3rd world country which only stated booming in this field, in the past 10years or so. We, South Africa, have a lot to catch up to. Our teleco infrastructure is only being "repositioned" for the general "internet users in masses" now, in the past 5 to 10 years. And a lot of it is directly tied to our undersea, overland and satellite connections which have only been improved upon drastically in the last 3 to 5 years. Many ISP's are fighting to deliver cheaper and faster connectivity

[tec0]

go with MTN uncap they suck but not as badly as the others... I get about 1Mbits/s for the first 3gb then 256Kbits/s for the rest of the time. I pay R199 a month. Not to bad.

[Blurock]

I've been offered 3gb free data from FNB. I'll keep my Telkom ADSL line, e-mails etc. Only the data is via FNB. Should I take it up?

[tec0]

I've been offered 3gb free data from FNB. I'll keep my Telkom ADSL line, e-mails etc. Only the data is via FNB. Should I take it up?

That sounds too good to be true, how does it work exactly? Are they the service provider?

[Blurock]

That sounds too good to be true, how does it work exactly? Are they the service provider?

The offer is for new and existing FNB clients.

https://www.fnbconnect.co.za/adsl-rewards.shtml

[popayetwo]

The offer is for new and existing FNB clients.

https://www.fnbconnect.co.za/adsl-rewards.shtml

Remember some years ago when ABSA offered FREE internet to all? Didn't last very long.
There's and old saying, 'If it sounds to good to be true, it probably isn't.'
Also, FNB will NEVER give out something for free, so someone somewhere is paying for this 'service'.

[popayetwo]

That sounds too good to be true, how does it work exactly? Are they the service provider?

Naturally there are T's and C's (read the fine print)
You get a username and password when you sign up with FNB and these have to be set in your router in place of your normal details. Then you log into the banks network and get your free gigs.
To qualify, you need to keep a certain minimum balance in you account. Details on the web site.
If you currently have an fnb account with a healthy balance and you are on a 1 or 2 gig cap, it may be worthwhile to get some more gigs 'free'.