Johannesburg - Post Report Question and Answers
Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
high speed internet is available for $30-50/month and usually takes a few weeks to install. - Aug 2023
Internet is widely available and reliable, as long as the power is on (yes, there are rolling brownouts called load-shedding that interrupt the power supply regularly). Costs between R500 - R1000 per month for good speeds, so likely a bit cheaper than Canada. The installation time is long: first in order to sign the contract you need to have all your Dip ID sorted out, which takes time, then the service provider outsources the installation, and each one has a 30-day service standard, so it can take a few months. - Jun 2022
Yes. Once you have a phone service, you can get internet turned on. Shouldn't take more than a day or two. - Oct 2019
Broadband is readily available, and while more expensive than in the US, it's not ridiculous. They are just installing fiber - I understand the transition to fiber can be painful, but it works well once installed. Go for a non-Telkom provider to get better prices and good service. If you're with the Consulate, ask for an internet dongle on arrival and/or get a 4G modem from Cell C and load it up so you have internet right away - otherwise you'll find yourself waiting a week or two to get set up at home. - Apr 2017
high speed internet is available. most people use telkom, iburst, and mweb. - Aug 2011
Internet service is crappy. You buy packages based on the amountof bandwidth you use monthly, and it can get kind of expensive for slow service. - Jul 2010
They call it "wireless", but I have a giant antenna attached to a long cord running through my house. There are all different plans. It is fairly reasonable. You buy it by bandwidth, so the plans are different than in the US. It is slow but not too bad. Another thing you just get used to. - Oct 2009
