The beginners guide to ADSL
So you’ve heard all these funny terms on radio, TV and from friends about broadband and ADSL, what exactly is this and how do you go about getting your hands on this thing called ADSL?
Lately I have had quite a few queries from users that would like to know how to go about getting ADSL, where do they go, what do they need and who is the cheapest. If you are still using Dial-up now is the time to read further and learn how you could be saving allot of money every month.
First off let me start by explaining the advantages ADSL has over Dial-up. The fastest ADSL offering currently in South Africa is more than 70 times faster than Dial-up Internet, allowing you to get your files allot faster and more reliable. With ADSL you are not billed per minute like with Dial-up but rather on usage allowing you to browse longer and allot more websites for allot less than with Dial-up Internet.
What you need to get ADSL installed:
- The only thing you will need to be able to get ADSL installed at your premises is a fully working telephone line from Telkom. Please note that ADSL will not work on prepaid Telkom phones.
You have your Telkom phone line installed what is next? The next step in getting ADSL is to order a ADSL line and Data Package, luckily now a days allot of ISPs (Internet Service Providers) does this for you. You will also require a ADSL modem, a tip here, allot of ISP’s will offer you a free modem if you sign a 24 month contract, I always urge people to stay away from signing contracts but there are people who doesn’t mind it just make sure the extra monthly fee is not allot more than what it would have cost you to buy the modem yourself. You can get a decent ADSL modem for around R600.
If you are new to ADSL and would like to keep is simple I would suggest your opt for the all in one packages the ISP’s offer. Lets take a looks at the different all in one ADSL packages available currently by different ISP’s. I will keep it to the cheaper low end packages that is ideal for normal home usage.
| Package | WebAfrica Complete 1 | Telkom Do 1 | SAOL All In One | Cybersmart Circuit plus 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | Free | R598.31 | R395.00 Includes ADSL Modem | R275.00 Includes ADSL Modem |
| Monthly Cost | R169.00 | R199.00 | R189.00 | R169.00 |
| Line Speed | 384kbps | 384kbps | 384kbps | 384kbps |
| Traffic Allowance | 1GB | 1GB | 1GB | 1GB |
As you can see some ISP’s offer a free ADSL modem included with their once of setup fee. Apart from your phone line obtaining one of the packages above will have you surfing the Internet in no time. Note that most of the packages above also includes free email addresses if needed.
To recap everything you need to be able to surf the web using ADSL is the following:
- Telkom Phone Line
- ADSL Modem (Included with some all in one packages)
- One of the packages mentioned above.
That’s it, see how simple it is to move over from slow and costly Dial-up Internet to fast and affordable ADSL Internet. If you have any queries please feel free to leave a comment and I will try my best to help you out.
