Compare the Best Broadband Deals

An internet service provider (ISP) is a company that makes it possible for you to have access to a dial-up connection or broadband internet. ISPs will connect your desktop, cell phone, notebook, iPad, tablet, and your game station to the internet.

There are over 100 ISPs in South Africa and each company differs with regards to their rates, deals, and offerings. Some ISPs may even provide telephone and television services as part of their services or packages. Most modern ISPs offer broadband internet access via DSL as well as high-speed fibre connections.

In South Africa, you get large ISPs, smaller private internet providers, and then you get your household names that also provide ISP services, such as banks and retailers.

Most ISPs offer the same types of internet services to customers. These services can include:

• Internet access (an ISP has the equipment and the telecommunication line access that is required to connect users to the internet)
• Email access (ISPs can help you to create functioning email accounts and email addresses so that you can communicate via email)
• Domain name registration (if you would like to create a website for your business or if you would like an email address that reflects your business name, then you would need to register a domain)
• Web hosting (web hosting is a service that makes it possible for you to post a website or web page onto the internet)
• Co-location or data centre services (a data centre facility where you can rent space for servers and other computing hardware)

Some ISPs also provide services such as website design or development of e-commerce facilities.

Before you contact an ISP to connect you, remember that you will first need a computer or a computerised mobile device, a modem (which most ISPs sell), and a telephone line or a data line (this can also be installed by your internet service provider or by another third party).

ISPs give you reliable access to the internet so that you can:

• Perform any work that you need to do online
• Communicate with people
• Run a website and social media campaigns for your business
• Have quick and easy access to news and information
• Enjoy the convenience of online banking
• Stream your favourite movies, series, and sports games
• Use cloud services to back up your information
• Enjoy online gaming
• Shop online

An ISP is your gateway to the internet and everything that you would like to do online. The very minute that your connection is activated and set up, you'll be able to send emails, watch movies, listen to music, do research and so much more.

The price of internet access in South Africa can depend on a few factors, namely:

• Your location (remote areas often pay more for an internet connection because of complex logistics)
• The type of connection you prefer
• How fast you want your connection to be
• Bandwidth capacity

The most common types of internet connections include:

• DSL (digital subscriber line)
• Cable broadband
• Fibre optic broadband
• Wireless or Wi-Fi broadband
• Satellite and mobile broadband
• Dedicated leased line

In South Africa, the most popular internet connections available are ADSL (which uses telephone lines to transmit data) and Fibre (which relies on fibre optic cables). The latter is much, much faster, but is generally more costly. The most affordable Fibre line enters the market at around R500 per month (which is for a 4MBps uncapped connection). In comparison, the cheapest 4MBps ADSL line goes for around R150 per month.

The only disadvantage of Fibre in South Africa is that it just isn’t widespread enough (it’s currently only available in larger cities. ADSL, on the other hand, is available in most parts of the country.

Most internet service providers work on a month-to-month contractual basis where you pay your bill monthly in advance. If you wish to cancel your connection, then 30-60 cancellation period applies.

Most ISPs also request a once-off set-up fee where you may have to cover the costs of a modem and other hardware. However, it’s not uncommon to find that an ISP is running a promotion where the set-up costs and a modem are offered as a free part of the deal.

Before you shop around for a cheap internet access solution, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• How many people will need to use the connection? Is it for home use or will a large workforce need access to it?
• What will I mostly use the internet for? Do I need it for research and online shopping or do I need a faster connection for large uploads/downloads and online gaming?
• How often will I need to use the internet? Will I be using the internet on the odd occasion or will I need constant access to it on a daily basis?

Once you have an idea of what type of connection you need and how fast you need it to be, then you can start shopping around for the best deals. And with so many competitors in the field, you should be able to find a provider that can meet your needs and your budget.

Keep in mind that, as your needs change or grow, your ISP requirements may change too. Some internet service providers offer flexible service plans or scalable solutions (these are especially useful if you are looking for an internet connection for your business).

Comparing tariffs with Money Expert is a simple way to find the right deal for you.