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Ask yourself ?

• What do you want to use the Internet for ?

  Sending an e-mail with a high-resolution picture attached takes up about 1 MB. Downloading a song from the net requires about 6 MB, while a movie - depending on its length and quality - can take up as much as 1 GB. You need to determine your user patterns to know how much download space you need.

• Where do you want to use the Internet?

  A broadband landline option, known as ADSL, gives you per­manent access to the internet if home is where you want to do your surfing. If you travel a lot or want to use your laptop in

• How fast should my internet access be ?

  The slowest broadband access offers a download speed of about 384 kbps. This is suffi­cient to send c-mails with attachments or surf the net. If you want to download of 512 kbps or 1 024 kbps is much more efficient. There are three options for prospective broadband users - 3G/HSDPA, iBurst and ADSL.

3G
3G stands for third generation mobile technology and HSDPA for high-speed downlink packet access. This technology lets you surf the net with the help of a cell phone.

HSDPA
In principle 3G and HSDPA are the same thing but HSDPA is the faster version of 3G. 3G’s speed is on average 384 kbps while HSDPA is almost five times faster.  MTN www.mtn.co.za  and Vodacom www.vodacom.co.za offer this service in South Africa and you need to buy a 3G/HSDPA package. You’ll receive an HSDPA signal in good-reception areas and a 3G in others.

Note: For an extra payment a month you receive a guaranteed HSDPA option.

The most basic 3G/HSDPA package costs R199 for the first six months and R249 a month thereafter and offers 500 MB download space at a speed of 384 kbps. Activation costs about R200. The advantage of 3G/ HSDPA is you can access the internet from wherever there’s cell phone reception. The disadvantage is your internet speed can vary depending on signal strength and the load on your particular cell phone network.

iBurst Wireless -  www.iburst.co.za
Wireless or cable-less internet works with radio frequencies. Before you purchase a package a technician will visit you to check if you’re in an iBurst area.

When using  iBurst you would need a modem as well. Speed depends on the reception area. iBurst Wireless is not available everywhere and a map on the iburst site will indicate if you live in a reception area. As with 3G/HSDPA the speed varies depending on sig­nal strength and the load on the wireless network only to be confirmed after installation.

ADSL - Also known as DSL
ADSL stands for asymmetrical digital subscriber line and it’s a permanent link to the internet.

An internet service provider, for example Telkom www.telkomsa.net, MWEB - www.mweb.co.za offer ADSL packages. Compare packages from several service providers as some have special offers and are more competitive.

A basic ADSL connection offers a speed of 384 kbps and 1 GB of download space. You pay more if you want a faster connec­tion or more download space. You may upgrade your package if required later.

The advantage of ADSL
You’ are permanently connected and the connection speed is guaranteed. The line may be shared with other users in a networked environment. You need to be situated within 5km of a telephone exchange. Type in your landline phone number on Telkom’s website to see if you qualify for the service.

Note: You may convert your existing telephone line to an ADSL line, and make calls or receive faxes simultaneously to avoid a new line being installed, allowing for immediate access following conversion.


NB! – Your Broadband provider need not be your website hosting company – “You may host your website independently”