7 ms·

Yay, finally decent latencies to/from SA customers when deploying AWS stuff The latency down here is a killer, often 300ms+ to EU/US, and for chatty web apps,

Yay, finally decent latencies to/from SA customers when deploying AWS stuff The latency down here is a killer, often 300ms+ to EU/US, and for chatty web apps, a real pain.

rootsudo 8y ago
Same in SEA. Even though JP/SG/HK is next door. What about general telecom infrastructure in SA? Sure, you may have a local AWS DC, but, if everyone's on copper or mobile..
- grandinj 8y ago
  Not great, but it is getting better, peering points are being used more and more, and fibre is spreading (just got some in my neighbourhood) Of course, compared to touching anything across the atlantic, anything local is like lightning.
- CaptainJustin 8y ago
  Infrastructure isn't bad. Most of my friends have fibre. I have 100Mbps up / 100Mbps down. Latency to datacenters in SA varies: 1 to 20ms
- lnx01 8y ago
  Better than it was 5-10 years ago - improving steadily. Fibre internet 40Mbps for about USD60pm - reliable, quick, low latency. Compared with the rubbish ADSL we've had to deal with in the past it's day and night.
- mikorym 8y ago
  The 100 Mbps up and down mentioned is USD 85 per month at the current R 14.45 to the dollar in Johannesburg itself. However, outside the urban areas internet is slower and there is not fibre yet. Cellphone coverage is generally good. For some "inexplicable" reason, however, 1GB cellphone data has been stuck at R 149 for over 5 years now...
  - zamalek 8y ago
    You can get cellphone data for much, much cheaper (try Afrihost mobile). Having recently moved to US, I'm amazed at how backward fixed internet access is here and how first-class it is in SA. Fibre is rare even in urban areas, I specifically asked my estate agent to find someplace with Comcast competition at best and Comcast fibre at worst - she couldn't manage either.
    - mikorym 8y ago
      > try Afrihost mobile But this would mean I have a data-only mobile contract, right?
    - mikorym 8y ago
      On the fibre topic: That's interesting, I know the regulations are backward thinking in relation to the EU, but I would have thought fibre would be more widespread. How have you found the move, work wise? My impression in JHB is that core economic activity is suffering (e.g., contruction) but people with mathsy or programming qualifications get jobs easily. Case in point: I have a Mathematics MSc and can get a job very easily; however, a Biology MSc looking for an environmental job simply does not. Any area that requires govt input of course will be less focused on quality and integrity of work.
- thatcloudguy 8y ago
  The issue with SEA is almost entirely to do with shitty telcos who run barely adequate gear, are staffed with semi-competent monkeys and who have no participation in peering fabrics. Yes, the infrastructure is in rough shape as well, just like in Africa.

Yay, finally decent latencies to/from SA customers when deploying AWS stuff The latency down here is a killer, often 300ms+ to EU/US, and for chatty web apps, a real pain.

rootsudo 8y ago

Same in SEA. Even though JP/SG/HK is next door. What about general telecom infrastructure in SA? Sure, you may have a local AWS DC, but, if everyone's on copper or mobile..

grandinj 8y ago
Not great, but it is getting better, peering points are being used more and more, and fibre is spreading (just got some in my neighbourhood) Of course, compared to touching anything across the atlantic, anything local is like lightning.
CaptainJustin 8y ago
Infrastructure isn't bad. Most of my friends have fibre. I have 100Mbps up / 100Mbps down. Latency to datacenters in SA varies: 1 to 20ms
lnx01 8y ago
Better than it was 5-10 years ago - improving steadily. Fibre internet 40Mbps for about USD60pm - reliable, quick, low latency. Compared with the rubbish ADSL we've had to deal with in the past it's day and night.
mikorym 8y ago
The 100 Mbps up and down mentioned is USD 85 per month at the current R 14.45 to the dollar in Johannesburg itself. However, outside the urban areas internet is slower and there is not fibre yet. Cellphone coverage is generally good. For some "inexplicable" reason, however, 1GB cellphone data has been stuck at R 149 for over 5 years now...
- zamalek 8y ago
  You can get cellphone data for much, much cheaper (try Afrihost mobile). Having recently moved to US, I'm amazed at how backward fixed internet access is here and how first-class it is in SA. Fibre is rare even in urban areas, I specifically asked my estate agent to find someplace with Comcast competition at best and Comcast fibre at worst - she couldn't manage either.
  - mikorym 8y ago
    > try Afrihost mobile But this would mean I have a data-only mobile contract, right?
  - mikorym 8y ago
    On the fibre topic: That's interesting, I know the regulations are backward thinking in relation to the EU, but I would have thought fibre would be more widespread. How have you found the move, work wise? My impression in JHB is that core economic activity is suffering (e.g., contruction) but people with mathsy or programming qualifications get jobs easily. Case in point: I have a Mathematics MSc and can get a job very easily; however, a Biology MSc looking for an environmental job simply does not. Any area that requires govt input of course will be less focused on quality and integrity of work.
thatcloudguy 8y ago
The issue with SEA is almost entirely to do with shitty telcos who run barely adequate gear, are staffed with semi-competent monkeys and who have no participation in peering fabrics. Yes, the infrastructure is in rough shape as well, just like in Africa.