Your router is your access point to the internet and creates a network that various devices can be connected to via wi-fi, or if they’re close by, with network cables. To get the best speed and connectivity on devices like smart TVs and streaming boxes, you should ideally connect those to your router with network cables. 

Your wi-fi network can be named whatever you like and protected by a password, so that only the people you share the password with, can access it. Setting up your wi-fi network is a one-off process — then, for every new device you want to connect, you simply need to select the name of your network from the settings list on the device and enter the password to connect it.

So your wi-fi router connects to your ONT, which connects to your area’s fibre infrastructure, which connects to local internet servers, connecting you to the world.

How do I get a DStv Internet fibre connection?

The first step is to check if there are fibre cables running in your street. You can check by entering your address in the “Check Coverage” box on the Get DStv website. If you’re covered, you’ll be able to select the DStv Internet fibre package of your choice and complete your order online. The DStv Internet team will then be in touch to deliver your hardware and book a date for your installation.

If there’s no fibre connectivity in your area yet, you can check if there’s coverage for a DStv Fixed LTE connection, which uses the same cellular technology that your phone does, to connect you to the internet.

How fast is DStv Internet’s fibre — and how fast is fast enough?

DStv Internet’s fibre connectivity is uncapped, unshaped and offers a peak download speed of 25Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speed of 10Mbps.

As a rule of thumb, streaming high-definition (HD) videos require download speeds of 2.5Mbps to 4Mbps to avoid annoying buffering and ensure a pixel-free, quality picture. Streaming 4K video requires a maximum connection speed of around 15Mbps. So, either way, DStv Internet’s 25Mbps/10Mbps speed gives you plenty of leeway to stream, work and play without stressing.

An uncapped fibre connection is one without a limit on the amount of data you can download (such as when streaming videos) or upload (such as when sending mail or WhatsApp messages). Every service provider applies a “fair usage” policy to connections, though, where users who abuse the system by uploading or downloading exponentially more data than others have their connection speed slowed to ensure that everyone else on the network is able to enjoy fast and efficient connectivity. 

“Shaping” of a connection refers to certain services being prioritised over others. So, for example, if you’re on a video call and someone on your network is trying to watch a YouTube video, their access to the video will be slowed slightly to ensure that you have enough bandwidth to run the audio and video on your call properly. An “unshaped” connection doesn’t prioritise access to one service over another, so everyone gets an equal slice of the connectivity pie. 

Which DStv Internet fibre package offers the best value?

DStv Internet offers a stand-alone fibre package to allow you and your family to connect to the online world. However, to give you more value and more epic content to stream, it has also bundled fibre internet and DStv’s epic entertainment offering into one all-inclusive package — and added an exciting new gadget to the mix.