Johannesburg, 18 May 2005
Telkom is aggressively marketing its ADSL services as the most reliable and speedy way for residential and business customers to access the Internet, with more broadband offerings in the pipeline.
Telkom`s drive to increase the demand for speedy and always-available Internet access in SA has seen its ADSL subscriber base surging from 50 000 to 60 000 in the last two months.
Steven White, Telkom`s Executive for Product Development, says this growth is attributable to Telkom`s diversification of its ADSL product offerings.
"We have long ago thrown out the concept of one size fits all and started looking at what the market needs are. Not every one needs high speed, but most people would like an always-available connection to the Internet," said White.
The number of prospective ADSL customers is increasing daily day as shown by Telkom`s online demand forecasting approach to evaluate demand, with applicants registering their details on the www.telkom.co.za Web site to be contacted when their exchanges are ADSL-enabled.
Also continuing at a fast pace is the process of equipping Telkom`s exchanges with DSL capability to meet the demand, with ports now available at about 80% of exchanges.
Talking to the media at Futurex 2005, White said there still seemed to be confusion about the difference between Internet access and Internet ISP services.
Upfront, one needs to know the difference between an access provider and an ISP. Some companies like Telkom are both access providers and ISPs.
"I am sure the confusion is a legacy from the time Internet was only available by dialling-up an ISP. One already had a Telkom line and only joined an ISP to deliver the Internet services like a mailbox and the ability to surf. For a dial-up user, it is still like that," explained White.
The 20% growth in ADSL customer numbers shows that Telkom`s 12% ADSL price reduction announced in February had a positive impact, in addition to our efforts to improve the quality of the ADSL service since its launch in 2002.
ADSL works on the economies of scale, meaning that prices should come down in real terms as more customers subscribe for the service.
Driving the ADSL growth is the business market, which has realised the benefits of spending less on their ADSL service than on previously billed call units to connect to the Internet. "With a wide choice of Telkom ADSL products and several ISP packages, customer can mix and match and opt for a service that suits both their needs and their pocket," said White.
HomeDSL 192
This is the latest product to be launched and aimed at the user who would like an always-available connection at a reasonable speed at a fixed monthly rate. With ADSL there is never a dial-up cost component. It means you know exactly what your monthly expenditure on the Internet is, even if your kids spend lot of time on the Internet. It is modestly priced at R329 per month. The download speed is 192kbps and upload is 64kbps.
HomeDSL 384
This product is double the speed of HomeDSL192 and offers the same advantage. It is more suited for the person who requires a faster up-and-download speed. HomeDSL 384 offers a download at 384kbps and an upload at 128kbps. The cost is R449 per month.
HomeDSL 512
This product is for the person who needs even more speed. It offers downloads at 512kbps and uploads at 286kbps. The cost is R599.
For business, Telkom offers BusinessDSL 512 at a cost of R699.
TelkomInternet powered by ADSL is a Telkom ISP product. It is available in three different packages to suit various requirements users may have. Each ISP has its own offering. The three ISP packages are Telkom Internet Powered by ADSL standard (2GB), advanced (3GB) and premium (4GB unshaped).
If one requires a fast down and upload speed, but only a limited amount of monthly throughput is needed, the HomeDSL 512 with TelkomInternet powered by ADSL standard is the choice. This package would cost R599 for the access and R199 for the ISP package. It will offer upload at 256kbps and download at 512kbps with a monthly data throughput of 2GB.
If the requirement is a larger volume but speed is not of the essence, HomeDSL 384 or HomeDSL 192 would be the answer with TelkomInternet powered by ADSL Advanced. If HomeDSL 384 is used, this will supply upload at 128kbps and download at 384kbps with a monthly throughput of 3GB. The cost is R449 for the HomeDSL384 and R249 for the ISP packages.
The HomeDSL 192 package costs only R329 per month and R249 for the ISP package.
Both TelkomInternet powered by ADSL standard and advanced are shaped for the best Internet browsing and e-mail experience. Telkom also offers a 4GB unshaped service called TelkomInternet powered by ADSL Premium. This ISP package was designed with peer-to-peer communication in mind.
Telkom`s ADSL access service can be ordered telephonically by dialling 0800 237 500 (0800 ADSL 00) or electronically by completing the online order form. Please visit www.telkom.co.za.
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