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Johannesburg - Internet service providers have cut prices for 1Mbps packages but Fin24 users say that this move is meaningless in a world of rich web applications.
On Wednesday, Fin24 reported that both MWEB and OpenWeb cut prices for 1Mbps packages.
READ: Internet providers slash uncapped ADSL prices
OpenWeb on Wednesday said its 1Mbps home uncapped ADSL is now available for R89 per month.
And MWEB said it is now charging R79 per month for an uncapped standard 1Mbps connection.
OpenWeb also said its 20Mbps connections now cost R699 per month while MWEB announced that its 8Mbps uncapped products are now priced at R439 per month.
Fin24 users, though, say that price cuts for 1Mbps packages in particular are meaningless as these internet speeds are just too slow for today’s modern world.
Fin24 user Steven wrote:
“1Mbps is like selling a month-old loaf of bread for half the price. Useless in today’s rich web environment. 4Mbps should be entry level; nothing less.”
Fin24 user Rajen also said that 1Mbps speeds are just too slow:“It's not fast, and even worse when dragging takes place one will be running at about 0.50Mbps.”
Fin24 user Graham said that 1Mbps is a slow speed and that it could be slower when consumers actually purchase the service.
“In South Africa you pay for 1Mbps and receive a fraction of that in download speeds - we are one of the slowest providers in Africa.”
However, Fin24 user Peter said that 1Mbps can be slow or fast depending on who you ask:
“For someone who is used to poor 3G connectivity with speeds ambling along at 100 to 200Kbps – sure. Anything is better than that. However, if you are the sort of content consumerist who lives off live streaming services such as Netflix et al; then no.
Having experience with both scenarios leaves me to believe that anything less than 4Mbps is super frustrating, especially when two dependents (wife and child) share the same connection that I use…(and no, it is not because of some dodgy private network setup, before we go there)."
Fin24 user Eugene also expressed dismay at 1Mbps speeds:“1Mbps is way too slow, and then Telkom and some other service providers still throttle that 1Mbps line. This gives us speeds of about 200Kbps, which is useless unless you are sending and receiving WhatsApp messages. These service providers need to really do more for the public, we are part of a global village now, and we see what's available abroad. And there is no comparison.”
Fin24 user Matt also added his voice to the criticism of the 1Mbps packages.
“Hi
I don't think it is fast enough. We are moving into the age where streaming of video has almost become a necessity. I was on a 1Mbps speed for little over a month - changed to 2Mbps, and two months later I had to move to 4Mbps and have been on that line speed for over a year now.
I must add, I'm waiting for Telkom to upgrade my line speed to 10mbps which I think would work best for me.”And finally, Fin24 user Deon wrote:
“It is still the most expensive broadband in the world.”
