| So you've finally had enough of battling with that | | | | speed for price. On the other hand, if you need |
| dodgy old dial-up connection and are now | | | | the faster speeds and are confident that the |
| contemplating going broadband. Or your current | | | | wireless coverage will be reliable in your area, then |
| broadband connection is not meeting your needs | | | | one of the wireless options may be the way to |
| and/or is too expensive and it's time for a | | | | go. |
| change. | | | | Reliability |
| The choice you need to make is between Iburst, | | | | Unfortunately the reliability of each of the above |
| HSDPA (Vodacom and MTN) or ADSL from | | | | connections is hard to predict and I have seen |
| Telkom, which can be quite a daunting decision for | | | | and heard of cases where all connection types |
| the technically non-inclined. HSDPA and Iburst are | | | | have been unreliable and slow. This usually boils |
| "long range" wireless options not to be confused | | | | down to one of the following reasons: |
| with "short range" Wifi, while ADSL needs a fixed | | | | Time of day: At certain times of the day, there |
| telephone line. So here are a few pointers to help | | | | will be more users online sharing the same |
| make that decision a little easier. | | | | resources, so overall speeds obtained will be lower |
| Connection speed | | | | than at other times. |
| First you need to decide what Internet speed you | | | | Your location: Especially true for the wireless |
| need. Obviously the faster the better. Below are | | | | options as in certain locations, speed will be much |
| the theoretically "maximum" speeds on offer: | | | | better than in others. This is because the wireless |
| Iburst: Up to 1Mbps | | | | signal coverage is affected by objects such as |
| HSDPA: Up to 1.8 Mbps. Drops to GPRS rates in | | | | distance from the transmitter as well as buildings, |
| non coverage areas. | | | | weather, mountains etc between the transmitter |
| ADSL: Up to 384 kbps, 512kbps, 1 Mbps and 4 | | | | and your router. For example, I have used |
| Mbps (1024 kbps = 1Mbps) | | | | HSDPA cards at the CTICC centre in Cape Town |
| In South Africa, however, the reality is that these | | | | and got average speeds of only 270 kbps. While |
| maximum speeds are rarely achieved (if ever) | | | | the coverage for all is increasing, ADSL is the |
| because actual average speed achieved is | | | | most likely only choice for many areas because |
| dependent on factors such as time of day, | | | | of Telkom's huge infrastructure. Iburst and |
| location, supplier capacity, remote site being | | | | HSDPA are mainly focused in major cities. It is |
| accessed and technical problems. For example, | | | | however important to check the reliability of |
| right now my current speed is averaging around | | | | wireless coverage at your site before going ahead |
| 175 kbps on a 512 kbps ADSL link. Obviously the | | | | with using a wireless connection. |
| higher the maximum speed capability of your link, | | | | Technical Problems: All the suppliers will experience |
| the higher the average speed you will get while | | | | technical problems from time to time and that |
| surfing. | | | | invariably effects connection speed - unfortunately |
| Price per bandwidth | | | | in South Africa this is far too common a problem |
| Next you need to decide between the different | | | | at the moment. |
| packages on offer. All companies charge | | | | Internet Needs |
| differently although, after installation, price | | | | If you are planning to use the Internet while on |
| essentially boils down to cost per Mbyte. With | | | | the move using a laptop, for example, then Iburst |
| Telkom this price is also dependent on the speed | | | | and HSDPA are the only options available - ADSL |
| of the ADSL link chosen, as well as the cost of | | | | needs a fixed phone line. |
| your ISP (Internet Service Provider). What you | | | | However, if you will be accessing the Internet |
| need to decide is how many Gigabytes (1024 | | | | from one location then you have the option of |
| Mbytes) you need per month and at what speed, | | | | using any of the three. Personally I prefer using a |
| and select a package that is appropriate for your | | | | fixed ADSL line because, in my opinion (and |
| needs. | | | | Telkom technical problems and personal dislikes |
| As a comparison, I have listed below the | | | | aside), a physical wired solution should always be |
| comparative monthly costs for roughly the same | | | | more reliable than the wireless options. If you |
| packages (+- 3 Gigabytes of data) at speeds of 1 | | | | need wireless with ADSL, you always have the |
| Mbps (or higher) as of 12th June 2007: | | | | option of using Wifi, which will give you short |
| Iburst: R0.17/Mbyte/month (3500 Mbytes Pro | | | | range wireless connectivity (+- 35 meters from |
| Classic package, no modem) | | | | the router with longer ranges possible using the |
| HSDPA: +- R0.20/Mbyte/month (2048 Mbytes in | | | | right setup). |
| bundle rate from MTN/Vodacom) | | | | Also, the type of applications you will be running |
| ADSL: R0.21/Mbyte/month (3 Gigabytes Cap with | | | | will influence your selection. If all you need is |
| 1Mbps line using Axxess as ISP at R125/month) | | | | "reasonable" Internet speed for email and |
| (Prices do not include once off costs such as | | | | browsing, then 384 kbps from Telkom may be all |
| routers/modems etc) | | | | you need. On the other hand, if you are |
| Although the Iburst option works out the | | | | downloading large files or need a fast connection |
| cheapest at 1 Mbps (or greater), if you are happy | | | | between two offices, then you will need a faster |
| with a 384 kbps line speed, then the ADSL cost | | | | connection. |
| reduces to +- R0.12/Mbyte - i.e. you are sacrificing | | | | |