Cell C's new Data Packages

[irneb]

According to these prices (http://www.cellc.co.za/internet/data...only-5c-per-mb) they seem to be the absolute cheapest in SA.

In comparison to MTN and Vodcom, but even NeoTel isn't cheaper (neither the NeoFlex Data 5GB nor the NeoGo 1.5G Ex). Nor iBurst - even though their maximum data-rates are a lot slower. And I won't even talk about the stupid Tel#$%^%%% ADSL's packages (never mind which "ISP" is bolted on top of them) - since the 4GB/s line starts at R413/month.

My question is how good is their connection? Anyone have any experience with them?

[Dave A]

My brother has gone for it and he is delighted. I don't know if area matters (probably does); he's in Umbilo, Durban.

[irneb]

Thanks, much as I thought - looking at their coverage map, I fall into their best coverage at work, but only moderate at home. I just wonder how those dongles of their perform ... you and I both know from experience that the others' "modems" are less than perfect at the best of times

[Dave A]

He's on the dongle and he reports no issues.

I probably should include a few disclaimers.

He was previously on an ADSL 384 line and he went for the Cell C deal because he was having trouble with Skype with video - and it was the cheapest option that looked like a solution, obviously. The Skype with video now works perfectly, apparently.

However, apart from the Skype with video stuff, he isn't what I'd class as an internet "power user" and I don't know how much of a benchmark an ADSL 384 line is. I get the zig with Telkom's "ADSL fastest" option at times, let alone that "slowest broadband on the planet" stuff.

[garthu]

I really am thinking seriously about it as my voda connection is just really doing well at the moment

[Mark Atkinson]

I've heard only good things regarding Cell C's data offerings. Great speeds and connectivity at an awesome price.

I have friends who even use Cell C's data packages for bandwidth-intensive gaming and I've only heard positive feedback. This is something I never would have expected coming from a wireless service provider.

I'm seriously tempted to go down that route myself, except our Mweb uncapped ADSL is at the most stable it's ever been right now. Not sure whether or not to make the effort.

[AmithS]

I just got the pre-paid bundle and its working great so far. Im in Pretoria. The speeds are great, the connection is great (i couldnt get on the network once or twice)

Im using their dongle.

The thing i like is that if my data is finished it finished and it gets replenished the next month. Then i get to chose if i want to add more data as with my other 3G account which was contract, once it was over it went on and on and on....

[irneb]

Thank you guys! This opened my eyes - always thought CellC was just a 2nd rate player. Maybe they've "improved" (as the add says) beyond the others.

Anyhow, I'm still happy with my Vodacom (at present). But as stated elsewhere, if they so much as blink I'm off like a shot. Good to have the info beforehand though

[garthu]

See why i consider this seriously! i send quite a few large emails a day with attachments. Very painful! This is my 3g line and its not doing badly today.

[twinscythe12332]

This is my speedtest result I did 3 minutes ago... From Durban (Vodacom) to Joburg. Being on the vodacom network definitely helped this test. After all, why would vodacom want me to believe I have anything but the best possible network =P


Something else to consider... I use their 3G/HSDPA router to connect.

[garthu]

Hmm interesting upload speed! Makes me a tad jealous!

[irneb]

I've also found the Vodacom upload speeds are great in comparison to others. See this: http://www.theforumsa.co.za/forums/showthread.php/3271-Vodacom-3G-sucks!?p=40955&viewfull=1#post40955

Edit: today's tests:


Strangely, the upload on HSDPA wasn't "that" great today. And Verison was actually giving its best ... yippeee!!! The ADSL is still dead on its feet ... in comparison to the others at least.

[garthu]

Dunno... mine really seems to be getting worse daily

What the speedtests dont show very well is that the speed as it starts upload is FANTASTIC!! , as it it gets to about 3 seconds and then around 6 seconds so that average test speed is not really the real stuff.

I have increased my outgoing timeout now around 10 fold.... this is really discouraging!

[Martinco]

My ADSL at home has been down since Monday. ( Eish sir , sorry the cables she has been stolen )
I am looking at the CellC promotion R 999 p/a for 2 gig / month = R 83.25 p/m for 2 gig.
Telkom cost: R 133 for tel line + R 152 for adsl + R 29 for 2 gig = R314 p/m Sooooo no comparison and as a bonus.....the speed ! AND you can carry it anywhere but my nice home network LAN is going down the drain !

[irneb]

... but my nice home network LAN is going down the drain !

Yes unfortunately a wireless AP router's not going to work too well with a USB dongle modem. However, I have seen some routers which can connect to USB modems ... if they work on CellC's modems I couldn't say. "Maybe" ... perhaps ... close your eyes ... pray ... do whatever you can think of to make your luck more ... and contact CellC to ask: "Is there a way to share my 3G over a wireless?" ... uhmm ... I can't seem to find anything about that on their site ... so you're probably left with sharing your connection through Windows's own internet connection sharing (which as I've stated in another post is a near impossibility to get working on wireless, or at least extremely difficult).

Edit, just did a google on that modem of theirs. It seems there are some wireless routers working with it: http://www.tvclip.biz/video/vNMxlarB...ovado-3gn.html