MWEB launches low-cost uncapped ADSL

MWEB has just announced that with the support of its parent company, Naspers, it will offer the cheapest unlimited internet access in the country.

South Africans finally able to use the internet like the rest of the world does

This is the first uncapped ADSL offering on a significant scale with all the value-added products, technical back-up and a world-class network, but at a truly affordable price. 

Uncapped ADSL packages for consumers and businesses

With products priced from R219 per month and some 40% cheaper than other offerings, MWEB is the first major player in South Africa to offer uncapped ADSL on a significant scale, available 24 hours a day, with all the value-added products, technical back-up and a world-class network – at an affordable price. 

Rudi Jansen, MWEB CEO, says the time has come for South Africans to experience unlimited internet access that is within their means.

“Internet penetration in South Africa remains below par - in fact, South Africa has fallen behind a number of other African countries in recent times.

The lack of well-priced, generously-provisioned bandwidth has been holding us all back, and as a result we are missing out on an immense economic opportunity.
 
“In his state of the nation address last month, President Jacob Zuma promised to increase broadband access, reduce tariffs and ensure a high standard of internet service, in line with international norms.

MWEB’s latest move is supportive of the government’s objectives to increase internet take-up as part of its efforts to encourage greater economic growth and social upliftment.

By lifting the usage cap and increasing competition, MWEB will greatly assist the industry change that is needed in this country.

A key shift in South African Internet history

ICT industry analyst, Arthur Goldstuck, agrees with this sentiment, saying cheap, unlimited broadband by MWEB marks a key shift in South African Internet history.

“It has been proven that accessible technology builds the economy. This is the kind of catalyst we’ve all waited for; we hope it's the gambit all other providers will have to match.

If it delivers what it promises, the consumer and business user and ultimately the country will be the beneficiaries.”

Vast benefits for South Africans

Citing the examples of France and South Korea and pointing to various global ICT programmes aimed at overcoming the 2009 economic slump, Jansen says the direct and indirect benefits including the multiplier effect of cheap, abundant bandwidth are nothing short of remarkable.
 
“Broadband lifted South Korea out of the devastation of the Asian market collapse in 1997,” he says. “In 1995, 1% of their population dialed up to the Internet. In 2009, more than 95% of households had broadband.

The change is deep and irreversible - everybody has high-definition video on demand. Online gaming conventions are as big as soccer matches or rock concerts. South Koreans spend twice as much per capita online as US citizens.”

South Africa’s turn

Jansen says MWEB hopes its actions are a precursor to a meaningful industry response. Since South African telecoms policy was liberalised to permit ISPs to offer services on their own networks, MWEB, a first-tier ISP with its own international bandwidth provisioned through SAT3 and Seacom, is now able to compete with telcos by providing Internet access on its own network.

“In spite of the current stranglehold that Telkom currently has on the internet market in South Africa, we felt that action of this significance was necessary to get South Africa to join the rest of the world and enjoy the social and economic benefits that broadband internet has to offer,” said Jansen.

“This offer will enable South Africans to access and download content on scale never seen before. We have a real chance to lift ourselves from broadband mediocrity in South Africa, or we risk falling into broadband oblivion,” he added.

MWEB has invested significantly in its network to produce a top quality, reliable network that has been engineered to world-class standards and which will accommodate the volume of traffic expected.

MWEB recently achieved Tier-1 ISP status with the migration of its customers to its own IPC network, thereby limiting its reliance on other Tier-1 providers for its bandwidth needs. 

With its new IPC link, MWEB will have more control over its ADSL network.  Jansen said he is confident that the additional control will mean better performance and higher service levels.

“We will also be utilising bandwidth on both the SAT3 and SEACOM international cable systems in order to have full redundancy on our international bandwidth,” he said.

“We signed up with SEACOM in March for a long-term agreement and we are purchasing significant bandwidth as SEACOM provides MWEB with a very attractive solution for international network capacity, at the best price currently available to the South African market.”

He added however, that for any ADSL service to be successful a close working relationship with Telkom is needed as they still control the last mile.

MWEB will continue to work with Telkom to ensure MWEB subscribers receive the best possible network experience in the country.

For more information of the packages on offer, visit www.mweb.co.za