We’ve been using our wireless ISP for uncapped internet access but lately the service has been down morethan up. I’ve been doing some research into an ISP that is able to supply us with ADSL. I don’t know if you’ve had a look at the Telkom website to make sense of the ADSL pricing structure but I’m sure the minimum requirement to make sense of the Telkom DSL pricing structure & ADSL installation procedure is a Phd.
A quick search for an ISP in my LinkedIn network reveals Giovanni Da Costa +27 (0)84 461 8828 of Liveweb, a Cape Town ISP. Sent him an email asking him to explain the Telkom DSL line, pricing and its procedures in plain English and in less than an hour…
Ok, first thing first.
Explanation of Telkom DSL line and its procedures.
Firstly I will place the order for you upon your requirements so do not worry about that.
Telkom Charges
- Order a 384, 512 or 1 meg Line
- Costs R245, R362 or R516 pm (incl VAT) respectively
- Installation of ADSL costs R437.50 (incl VAT) once off
- Please note that the 1 meg line can be upgraded to a 4 meg line at no extra cost.
ISP Charges
- ISP’s can charge any where from R200 – R350 for 3 Gig package
Now to connect you do require Hardware to connect, As said I would recommend going to for Linksys, R600 for a Cable DSL router or R900 for a wireless DSL router. Since you have Wireless equipment already I would recommend going for the Cable DSL router.
LiveWeb normally charges a R400 installation fee to setup the DSL router for your network.
Wow, I do not have to call Telkom! As I was preparing this post our phone rang, Telkom called us 
I think this has been the most painless interaction with Telkom yet.
[update]
Mweb now offer uncapped ADSL
Have you read these yet?
Why South Africa’s broadband growth is lacking…
Telkom ADSL wait…
No more ports – The ADSL wait continues
Telkom ADSL – Waiting more than 6-8 weeks?
We’re on Telkom DSL
This is a pretty cool referance to use. I’ve been thinking of setting up ADSL at my girlfriends flat but need the costs broken down so that her parents can understand the pricing, and this helps a lot!
thanks.
TYFYC Uno – To understand Telkom ADSL prices, do not send them to the Telkom website, send them to Your Web AddiCT(s);
Saw this which was pretty interesting, basically exactly what you were using it for.:
Personally I’d like it. There still isn’t really a way in which you can drop any contacts easily? You have to mail LinkedIn if you want to remove anyone?
We a really very annoyed with the service we are having regarding our ADSL line. It was reported out of order on the 18th of December 2006, Ref no. 508ARK181206, yet we have not seen a technician, we did get two phone calls from the Telkom call centre with lots of promises without any luck. If you could possibly help us we will be very greatful. We are running a small Accounting concern and really do need our communication urgently. Thanking you in anticipation.
TYFYC Miems – Please give Giovanni a call 084 461 8828 – Not only will he sort you out, he provides awesome service & I am pretty sure he is able to save you some money on your ADSL and your business communication needs.
Wi-Fi is fine whilst it working.When mine stopped it took 41min.21 sec for 0800-375375 to answer and my router was tested faulty. Two routers later they are all dead says Johan in Cape Town.
On my own, as a Telkom pensioner, I established that the port in the exchange is faulty. The two ‘FAULTY” routers exchanged at the Pavillion should be declared “healthy” and the test equipment in Cape Town be looked at.
PS: I tried 0800 375375 at 23:00 at night and had to hang up after 30 minutes as my 70 year old body needs some sleep.
Best regards
Fritz Schonefeld
HELP,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I CAN GET MY EMAIL,BUT,,CANT SEND ANY
Can anyone help me. My son has a telkom ADSL line that he pays for and has to top up most months. He spends a lot of time on his computer as it is his career but we think that it may be facebook using it up also. Can anyone give me an idea on what the charges/space used would be to be on facebook for an hour a day so I can pay my share? Or who could I contact? Thank you. Sands