ADSL South Africa Rating System

We all know how difficult it can be to compare apples with apples when it comes to making a decision whether to sign up for a specific ADSL offering (or other broadband Internet related offering) or not. The reason being is the fact that many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) take it upon themselves to hide the bad stuff relating to their service offerings and tend to focus mostly on the good stuff offered. This can be expected, it's in human nature to hide or try to hide the bad stuff, especially if it can have undesirable effects like a loss of income, et cetera.

However, this doesn't mean that we don't have the right to clarify things a bit, making it easier to distinguise between good and bad offerings. This is the very reason why we at ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) have taken it upon ourselves to devise a 'rating system' of our own. We will be the first to admit that no rating system is perfect, including ours, but it can help a great deal in the decision making process, making it easier to compare apples with apples.

The ADSL South Africa Rating System works as follow:

• Icons - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) looks at the different features of an ADSL offering (or other broadband Internet related offering) and use icons to indicate whether we like () or dislike () a certain advertised/not advertised feature. 

 = Like.

 = Dislike.

• The Good Stuff : The Bad Stuff Ratio - This is a ratio of the stuff that we like () and the stuff that we dislike (). For example, a ratio of 10 : 1 tells us that the features we like outweighs the features we dislike 10 to 1.

The Good Stuff : The Bad Stuff

??? : ???

Price of offerings not included in ratio...

We do not include the price of offerings in The Good Stuff : The Bad Stuff Ratio despite the fact that we for example calculate the PGB = Price per GB (the cost per month divided by the bandwidth allocation) for each offering.

The reason being is the fact that it is difficult, although not impossible, to calculate the monetary value of an offering based on the underlying features. Difficult, because some of us will for one place a high monetary value on certain features while others might do the exact opposite. We do however also calculate and provide the Average PGB = Average Price per GB for shaped and unshaped ADSL (or other broadband Internet related offering) service offerings in the overall market. When you take the PGB and compare it with the Average PGB, it should give you a pretty good idea of how cheap or expensive a relevant offering is, especially when you consider the features that you like or dislike of a relevant offering.

What we like () in no particular order:

• Prices are advertised as VAT inclusive - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes to see prices advertised as VAT inclusive in instances where ISPs are registered to pay VAT (Value Added Tax). We like this because it gives a good indication of what the final price tag is going to be without having to make any tax-related calculations.

• One Stop Broadband Request Service  partner - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP is an One Stop Broadband Request Service partner. We like this because the more ISPs that join as partners the better. An increase in the number of One Stop Broadband Request Service partners can only improve the quality of the service, because it ensures healthy competition and offers our fellow Average Joes more choice when it comes to choosing a suitable ADSL or other broadband related Internet service.

• ADSL packages advertised with comprehensive info - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes to see ADSL packages advertised with comprehensive info. We like this because it definitely makes it easier to compare apples with apples and also gives one a clear impression that the relevant ISP is not trying very hard to hide stuff from us.

• Unused bandwidth carries over to the next month - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP allows for the carry over of unused bandwidth. We like it because the unused bandwidth is paid in full, and not allowing such transfer is seen by us as a form of bandwidth theft after all.

• Notice of price changes one month in advance - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when ISPs give their subscribers at least 30 days notice before price changes. We like this because it not only helps with personal budgeting, but also because it gives one peace of mind (to a certain extent) that one will not be caught off-guard by sudden price changes. Now it must be said, that from our point of view, a sudden drop in price doesn't present a problem but only a sudden increase in price. This is obviously because a drop in the cost of being subscribed to an ADSL or other broadband related service will always be welcomed by ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), whether its announced within 24 hours or not.

• Month-to-month contracts - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers month-to-month contracts. We like to see month-to-month contracts because it tells one that the relevant ISP places a lot of trust in their ability to deliver a quality service. The reason being is the fact that it's easier to get out of a month-to-month contract when one is not satisfied with the service received than getting out of a long-term contract (6-36 months). It is therefore no wonder that ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is strongly in favour of the abolishment of long-term contracts. This will keep ISPs on their toes, forcing them to improve and maintain the quality of the service they deliver or risk going out of business.

The above is the reason why we recommend time and time again that our fellow Average Joes should not lock themselves in long-term contracts, even when they are offered 'free' stuff in the form of routers, PCs, et cetera.

• No cancellation notice period - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ADSL user can cancel his/her subscription to an ADSL service without having to give notice 30 days in advance. We like this because like with month-to-months contracts, it tells one that the relevant ISP places a lot of trust in their ability to deliver a quality service.    

• 24/7 Technical Support - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers technical support on a 24/7 basis to their ADSL subscribers. We like this because it means chances are good that they won't leave you out in the cold when help is needed. If your ISP doesn't offer technical support 24/7, chances are good that you will be stuck when you need help after hours.    

• Various payment methods - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers their subscribers more than one payment method, especially when credit cards are accepted. Despite the risks attached to making and receiving credit card payments, it remains a convenient way of transacting online.

• Instant activation - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers instant service activation, despite the fact that for most of the time one has to wait for a considerable amount of time to get an ADSL line installed/upgraded (if required), especially when it comes to an One Price ADSL service. We like the notion of instant service activation, despite the mentioned limitations, simply because it shows that the relevant ISP is not keen on wasting your or their time, but is rather serious about business.

• No contracts - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers its ADSL services on a pay-as-you-go basis with no contracts to lock one in. We like it, despite the fact that no contracts normally means the ADSL service is more expensive, because it gives one the freedom to easily and cost-effectively move from one ISP to the next.     

• Can up or downgrade at any time - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP allows their ADSL subscribers to up or downgrade at any time, especially when there's no penalties for downgrading. We like it because it allows you the ADSL subscriber to easily switch to the ADSL package that's more suitable for you.   

• 30 day money back guarantee - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers a 30 day money back guarantee to its ADSL subscribers. We like it because it gives you the ADSL subscriber the opportunity to test drive an ADSL service offering free of charge.  

• Value-added services - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers value-added services such as sms notification (when account balance is running low), f2e, anti-virus protection, et cetera.  

• Multi-Realm capability - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers Multi-Realm capability, which means that you can switch between two different networks at any given time. We like this capability because it gives you the ADSL subscriber the flexibility to switch to the network most suitable for what you are doing at the time.    

• No setup fee - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP waives the setup fee(s). We like this because it makes an ADSL offering more attractive to the ADSL subscriber, since it helps to keep the overall cost to subscribe to the relevant ADSL service down.  

• Comprehensive anti-spam and anti-virus protection - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP offers comprehensive anti-spam and anti-virus protection to its ADSL subscribers. We like this because it can help to a great extent to take the sting out of unwanted programs and unwanted visitors. It not only saves the ADSL subscriber a lot of time, but in some instances also thousands of rand.

• Experience - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) likes it when an ISP has been around for at least 10 years in terms of experience. We like this because ISPs with experience normally have more to offer to ADSL subscribers than ISPs that have little or no experience. This is not always the case but experience definitely counts towards something.  

• Et Cetera.  

What we dislike () in no particular order:

• Is unused bandwidth carried over to the next month? - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) asks this question when it's not clear from an advertised ADSL offering whether unused bandwidth carries over or not. We dislike this because potential ADSL subscribers should have immediate access to this info without having to contact the relevant ISP first, or having to guess if unused bandwidth carries over. 

• Info too limited to make an informed decision - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP offers too little info to make informed decisions. 9 times out of 10 it is a tale sign that one is dealing with an ISP that cannot be trusted. It simply puzzles one's mind that some ISPs choose to give potential ADSL subscribers as little info as possible.

• Prices are advertised as VAT exclusive - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP advertises its ADSL service as VAT (Value Added Tax) exclusive. We dislike this because it doesn't give one a good idea of what the final price tag is going to be if one doesn't calculate it. This makes it difficult when one wants to compare different ADSL offerings.

• 30 days notice in writing to cancel - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP requires its ADSL subscribers to give 30 days notice in writing when they want to cancel. We dislike this, despite the obvious benefits to the ISP, because it means the ADSL subscriber has to stay on for another month and use an ADSL service he/she doesn't really want to make use of any more. On the plus side, most ISPs allow the notice of cancellation in writing to be send via email. This while one or two ISPs go to the extreme by requiring that their ADSL subscribers cancel in writing via pre-paid registered post. It would have been great however if one had the option to cancel by making a simple phone call. ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) believes this is possible without exposing ISPs or ADSL subscribers to additional risk.

• Accounts are payable a month in advance - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP requires its ADSL subscribers to pay their accounts a month in advance. We dislike it, despite the obvious benefits to ISPs, because it usually means one has to pay double the normal monthly ADSL service fee to subscribe to a given ADSL service offering.

• Required to use the @xxxxxxxx email address supplied - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP forces their ADSL subscribers to use the email address supplied. We dislike it, because at a later stage, it discourages people to move to an ISP that can offer a better service in terms of quality and price. Many people will rather suffer in silence than risk losing the email addresses that they are using to stay in contact.

• Unused bandwidth doesn't carry over - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP doesn't allow or make room for unused bandwidth to carry over. We dislike it because in our minds its a form of bandwidth theft, although not as blatant as most other forms of bandwidth theft.

For example: If one considers that you pay in full for an ADSL service with a monthly bandwidth allocation of 3GB, but only use half of that during a s month, then logic tells one that the unused portion must be carried over to the next month or one needs to be refunded for the unused portion.  

• Is traffic shaped or unshaped? - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) asks this question when it's not clear from an advertised ADSL offering whether traffic is shaped or unshaped. We dislike this because potential ADSL subscribers should have immediate access to this info without having to contact the relevant ISP first, or having to guess whether traffic is shaped or unshaped.   

• Are ADSL packages Hard or Soft Capped? - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) asks this question when it's not clear from an advertised ADSL offering whether an ADSL package is hard or soft capped. We dislike this because potential ADSL subscribers should have immediate access to this info without having to contact the relevant ISP first, or having to guess whether an ADSL package is hard or soft capped.  

• Reconnection fee - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP charges a reconnection fee, especially when its on the steep side. We dislike it because normally an ADSL subscriber gets disconnected due to non-payment or because his/her account is in arrears. Having financial trouble and not being able to pay sucks. Rubbing it in with a high reconnection fee once someone is able to afford the relevant ADSL service again is a bit harsh. Why not rather waive the reconnection fee the first time around?

• Delivery charge - ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) dislikes it when an ISP charges a delivery fee to new ADSL subscribers. We dislike it because we feel the monthly charges for the ADSL service are high enough to cover the delivery fee and a health profit for the ISP.

Based on the above, it is therefore save to assume that the ADSL South Africa Rating System is largely based on what we at ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) deem as good and bad when it comes to the various features offered. This is why our rating system, like all other rating systems, is not perfect but can help you in the decision making process. Our rating system is especially usefull in instances where people are not familiar with the various features offered. The reason being is the fact that our rating system provides a good basic platform for comparison despite the fact that it doesn't provide a final rating that considers all the features including price.