Advice regarding internet access

theGrimm · 07-25-2006, 05:14 AM

Hi guys,

I need some intelligent (or at least educated)advice here. I'm looking into getting some decent internet access (I'm currently on dial up), and I'm having a hard time working out what I'll need. Specifically, I'd like to do some gaming (aside from the usual surfing, reading the news, forums, etc). Nothing intensive, just a game or two occasionally with friends.

Internet access here in SA still isn't all that accessible / affordable. ADSL is generally the fastest, but is usually capped (as in, you get only 3GB of traffic in a month). There are uncapped wireless options, but I'm told that latency can be an issue for gaming.

One option I'm looking at is an uncapped wireless 128k line at what works out to be around 70 us dollars per month (R400 SA rands).

Another wireless option, similar in price, is also uncapped. It's a 512k line, but shared with up to 32 other users (meaning I could be getting as low as 16k, but as high as 512k).

Finally, the fixed line ADSL option has a 2GB cap with a 382k connection. Price is around $90.

So, I'm trying to understand what sort of network performance and bandwidth I need for gaming, so I can work out whether what I want is worth what it costs in SA...

Thanks in advance...

NagaSaki · 07-25-2006, 06:38 AM

Hey Grimm, I live in Zimbabwe and have just come over to England to study and i hope we can get the kind of internet thats here. Unlimited usage for for £14:99 on a 4mb connection.
Back to the point, In zimbabwe we have the uncapped option sharing with 32+/- and during peak hours of say 6pm to 9-10pm it'll be fairly slow for browsing but wont affect your gaming too much. When not on those peak hours it seemed like i was the only use on, lightning speeds no hassle at all.
And talking form experience i would get a capped line, you'd be suprised how much bandwidth you use and if your like me then you'll be capped halfway through the month and have to pay horrendous over payments on the extra bandwidth used.

theGrimm · 07-25-2006, 06:56 AM

Thanks, that's already helpful.

What sort of surfing do you do? And have you got experience gaming with wireless access? You mention the uncapped option but not whether it's wireless or not.

And completely OT: What's Zimbabwe like at the moment? Even though we're neighbours, it's hard to get a clear idea what it's really like for the man on the street.

07-25-2006, 06:38 AM	#2
NagaSaki The Magister Join Date: May 17, 2003 Location: England at the moment :( Age: 38 Posts: 102	Hey Grimm, I live in Zimbabwe and have just come over to England to study and i hope we can get the kind of internet thats here. Unlimited usage for for £14:99 on a 4mb connection. Back to the point, In zimbabwe we have the uncapped option sharing with 32+/- and during peak hours of say 6pm to 9-10pm it'll be fairly slow for browsing but wont affect your gaming too much. When not on those peak hours it seemed like i was the only use on, lightning speeds no hassle at all. And talking form experience i would get a capped line, you'd be suprised how much bandwidth you use and if your like me then you'll be capped halfway through the month and have to pay horrendous over payments on the extra bandwidth used. __________________ [url]\"http://imageshack.us\" target=\"_blank\"> [img]\"http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8069/birdhouse0orzs5.gif\" alt=\" - \" /></a><br />My WoW Warlock Profile <img border=\"0\" title=\"\" alt=\"[Smile]\" src=\"smile.gif\" /> <br /><br /> [url]\"http://ctprofiles.net/1509867\" target=\"_blank\">http://ctprofiles.net/1509867</a>

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07-25-2006, 05:14 AM	#1
theGrimm Manshoon Join Date: January 19, 2004 Location: South Africa Age: 45 Posts: 162	Hi guys, I need some intelligent (or at least educated)advice here. I'm looking into getting some decent internet access (I'm currently on dial up), and I'm having a hard time working out what I'll need. Specifically, I'd like to do some gaming (aside from the usual surfing, reading the news, forums, etc). Nothing intensive, just a game or two occasionally with friends. Internet access here in SA still isn't all that accessible / affordable. ADSL is generally the fastest, but is usually capped (as in, you get only 3GB of traffic in a month). There are uncapped wireless options, but I'm told that latency can be an issue for gaming. One option I'm looking at is an uncapped wireless 128k line at what works out to be around 70 us dollars per month (R400 SA rands). Another wireless option, similar in price, is also uncapped. It's a 512k line, but shared with up to 32 other users (meaning I could be getting as low as 16k, but as high as 512k). Finally, the fixed line ADSL option has a 2GB cap with a 382k connection. Price is around $90. So, I'm trying to understand what sort of network performance and bandwidth I need for gaming, so I can work out whether what I want is worth what it costs in SA... Thanks in advance...

07-25-2006, 06:56 AM	#3
theGrimm Manshoon Join Date: January 19, 2004 Location: South Africa Age: 45 Posts: 162	Thanks, that's already helpful. What sort of surfing do you do? And have you got experience gaming with wireless access? You mention the uncapped option but not whether it's wireless or not. And completely OT: What's Zimbabwe like at the moment? Even though we're neighbours, it's hard to get a clear idea what it's really like for the man on the street.

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