FTW: Free the Web with naked ADSL

MWEB's Free the Web campaign (FTW) is highlighting the importance of Naked ADSL in a new social media movement. MWEB's Free the Web (FTW) initiative has taken up the cause of Naked ADSL, calling on South Africans to take a stand and add their vote to remove mandatory landline billing with ADSL lines.

Derek Hershaw, CEO MWEB ISP, says: "With Uncapped ADSL finally becoming the norm for fixed line access, the time has come for Free the Web to focus on the next cause. So we're asking consumers to take a stand and call for Naked ADSL. There are currently three costs associated with having ADSL connectivity in South Africa: the ADSL line rental; the cost of the ADSL data; and the cost of the landline rental from Telkom," says Hershaw.

As Telkom is bundling the landline with the ADSL line, consumers are unable to subscribe to an ADSL-only service, where they just rent the ADSL line and pay for data usage. If they want ADSL, customers are forced to also pay the rental fee for the landline, irrespective of whether they use it for voice calls. Although our voice lines do currently subsidise a portion of our ADSL line costs, consumers should still see a reduction in costs if you didn't have to have a landline.

"Since a landline is not required for ADSL connectivity, Naked ADSL calls for Telkom to unbundle landlines from ADSL lines, ensuring that ADSL customers who don't want a telephone line don't end up having to pay for one unnecessarily," says Hershaw.

Naked ADSL FTW Video Campaign

The Naked ADSL issue was once again brought to light at the recent Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) hearings held by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). These hearings discussed opening last mile access to the copper ADSL infrastructure, which is currently owned by Telkom. LLU would mean more competition within the Internet Service Provider space, which would benefit consumers.

MWEB sees Naked ADSL as being a step closer to complete LLU, as LLU is expected to be a very lengthy process.

"The FTW initiative has therefore taken up the call for Naked ADSL. South Africans can visit the FreeTheWebSA Facebook page, watch a quick video which explains the concept and campaign, and show their support for Naked ADSL via an Appeal Mosaic," says Hershaw.

The mosaic will feature a visual representation of South Africa's call for Naked ADSL. It will also allow people who have already made their mark to spread the word and grow the petition by sharing the mosaic with their friends - further spreading the message.

"Naked ADSL is another step in the process of driving down the cost of connectivity. It's also about the right to only pay for something if you want to use it which is completely logical," Hershaw concludes.

MWEB originally devised the FTW initiative to champion change in how SA connects to the Internet and to provide a platform for South Africans to come together and work towards a local Internet landscape that's aligned with international benchmarks. MWEB's pioneering launch of uncapped, unthrottled ADSL for R219 per month (data only costs on a 384kpbs line speed) in March 2010 followed closely on the launch of FTW.

Get involved FTW

• FTW Twitter handle: @FreeTheWebSA
• Naked ADSL Facebook Tab - where South Africans can show their support for FTW Naked ADSL via an Appeal Mosaic.

ADSL: Now that you have more bandwidth, what will you do with it?

FIRST there was dialup and ISDN, giving you a trickle of bandwidth for which you paid per minute. If you didn’t watch yourself you could easily pay hundreds of rands a month – and it was suicidally slow. Then there was capped ADSL, which was faster, but your internet usage was restricted to a gigabyte or two each month. After reaching your cap, you either had to top it up with a booster, or be cut off from your internet for the rest of the month.

Today, there is uncapped ADSL at a fixed, low price. And with unlimited internet access there’s so much more you can do online that it’s going to change your life. MWEB recently launched uncapped ADSL starting at R219 per month. Carolyn Holgate, general manager of MWEB Connect, offers ten MWEB uncapped ADSL tips for making the most of cheap, unlimited internet at home:

1. Download music, movies, TV shows and YouTube videos

“It is quite conceivable that a family of four could use 20 gigabytes and more each month downloading entertainment content from the Internet,” says Holgate. “We definitely don’t recommend that you download anything illegal, but for such a family to each  watch ten minutes of YouTube a day, download two MP3s a day, two TV shows a month and three standard-definition movies a month would add up to 20 gigabytes right there."

"Before, this would have been extremely expensive, and almost inconceivable. But now, thanks to low-cost uncapped ADSL, you can pay a flat fee and not worry about exceeding your cap again,” says Holgate.

DStv recently launched “DStv On Demand” and if you are a DStv Premium subscriber with an MWEB ADSL account, you can watch or download premium quality TV content on your PC or laptop – for no extra costs. Go to www.dstv.com to register.

Check out these other sites for cool entertainment content:

• www.mtv.com
• www.hulu.com
• www.zoopy.com
• www.youtube.com

2. Set up web-calling with video

“Most people don’t need any introduction to phone and video calls over the web,” says Holgate. “This technology is what keeps families and friends together, no matter what the distance. Once you’ve got uncapped ADSL, you can talk to other users on the same system for free – and with an unlimited amount of data each month you can talk to your heart’s content. Try MWEB’s Webcall service."

3. Try online gaming

If you possess a sword with Arabic-looking squiggles on it called Slayer in the Realm of Pneimh, the world of online gaming could be for you. We recommend using faster packages for online gaming as it will provide a delay-free gaming experience. Gaming sites such as www.mweb.co.za/games is a good one to start with.

4. Start your own blog

If you want to share your life with others, then a blog is ideal. You can upload content, pictures, videos and music and share it with your friends and family – and never worry about exceeding your data cap each month. Go to MWEB’s blog page at www.blogspace.mweb.co.za to get started.

5. Stay in touch with social media tools online

Like email and surfing the web, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube have become part of our lifestyle – particularly for the connected youth. MWEB recently investigated South African’s social networking habits, and 82% of the participants are on Facebook. This shows we’re savvy social networkers already and these figures are growing! Chances are your kids are well up to speed with the latest tools; you don’t want to be left behind!

6. Set up a home-based business or access the office from home

Entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to fuel job creation in this country. “Thanks to cheap, uncapped ADSL, you can set up a professional home office that lets you do business from your own space. Alternatively, you can access your traditional office network from home, giving you the flexibility demanded by increasing traffic gridlock and time constraints,” says Holgate.

7. Work more flexibly

Professionals whose core skills can be offered virtually are probably better off working at home. Companies have the flexible use of their services while saving on desk space, and with uncapped ADSL there is no limit as to how much data these virtual workers can access.

8. Why pay unnecessarily for software?

Instead of buying expensive software applications, you can try OpenOffice.org or Google Docs. ADSL lets you access, use and store your data in web-hosted applications – safely and quickly. Holgate continues, “You will also be able to download additional applications to your computer now that you have all the bandwidth you can swallow. And remember, for every application you need, there is a free or cheaper version available online.”

9. Save memory space on your computer

Instead of downloading tools and information to store on your computer, access them online when you need them. You don’t have to worry about the costs associated with accessing files and applications online as your monthly fee is fixed.

10. Get the value-added services you need

You may be happy with your ISP, but prices are plummeting and competition has reached a level never experienced before. Besides cheap, unlimited bandwidth, your ISP should offer a quality network that can withstand the demands of uncapped Internet users, security, support, antivirus, antispam, faxmail, a big free mailbox and value-adds such as free Wi-Fi minutes.

“Broadband is a highly enabling tool, spurring innovation and allowing greater flexibility in communication and entertainment. Uncapped ADSL will allow users to be more adventurous about the sites they visit and how they use the Internet. It’s a very exciting time for users in South Africa,” concludes Holgate.

• These MWEB uncapped ADSL tips were issued on behalf of MWEB. For more information on MWEB’s packages, visit www.mweb.co.za or call 08600 32000 to speak to a sales consultant.

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INTERNET: The Simple Life (online)

TECHNOLOGY is often blamed for complicating our lives instead of simplifying them. But there are ways to harness the power of technology to achieve your dream of an ordered, less chaotic life. Natalie Thayer, GM of MWEB, offers some advice on how to get the balance right:

• Go grocery shopping online
  Instead of wandering the supermarket aisles, have food, wine and other household goods delivered to your doorstep. Many retailers including Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay, have online shopping facilities which can save you money, petrol and travel time.
  
• Make phone calls over the Internet
  Internet phone services, like MTalk Webcall, allow you to make national, international and cell phone calls very cheaply – and sometimes for free. An ideal alternative to a traditional landline, Webcall is easy to use and you only need a broadband Internet connection.

Transfer money, pay bills and bank online
If you haven’t already, set yourself up with Internet banking. You can move money from one account to another, do direct deposits and pay your accounts online so you don’t have to go into a store or stand in bank queues longer than the Nile to settle your accounts.

• Use the Internet for school projects and homework
  Instead of a shelf full of outdated encyclopaedias, get your kids to use the Internet for school project research and even exam revision. It will save you money and trips to the library. A useful site for students is sparknotes.com

 

Upgrade your Internet connection
If you are still using a painfully slow dial-up connection, save yourself time and frustration by upgrading to a broadband connection like ADSL. Faster connection speeds and a fixed monthly fee will let you rediscover the joys of the Internet. You’ll also avoid tying up your phone line for hours at a time.

“The Internet is not only a source of information but also a great way to get your daily tasks done, saving you time and petrol money. The careful use of technology can help simplify life - you just need to choose the technology you really need to achieve your goals.”
— Natalie Thayer, GM of MWEB

— issued on behalf of MWEB

Related post: • Online shopping tips • Your online shopping guide

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