VANILLA - internet services, simple.

About Vanilla

Vanilla provides simple, affordable internet services for discerning Internet users in South Africa. We've been doing this since 1996 - you can trust us to get it right.

Have a look at our social networks for the latest updates on whats going on:

We connect you through the three primary networks in South Africa. These are the fastest and most reliable networks in the country - Internet Solutions, MTN Business - used by many major companies and SAIX, the Telkom network.

Vanilla also orders and bills for adsl physical lines, hence no need to struggle with Telkom, just do everything through us!

Vanilla gives you a choice of easy to use services - you pick what you want and only pay for what you use (or commit to using e.g. fixed accounts, domains, etc). No complex bundles, long-term lock-in, no red tape, we guarantee 99% uptime and the security of our systems.

We are a proud member of the SA Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) and we uphold the ISPA Code of Conduct

Vanilla keeps everything as simple as possible

ADSL Self Install

ADSL Self Install – HOWTO:

In order to apply for the ADSL service, you must meet the necessary requirements set out by Telkom.

The most obvious of these will be a telephone line:

The application involves having your line enabled on the exchange, you will usually receive a phone call to let you know this is process is complete.

If you’d like to track the progress of your ADSL conversion, you may dial 0800 456 786, this number is only for ADSL exchange related queries (for installation related progress tracking you need to call 10219). You will be asked for your reference number and you may be asked to perform various simple tests on your line by the operator during this call. If you have ordered your lin through us then call us and we'll find out for you.

You will require the necessary hardware to make use of your line, apart from a modem/router the most important of which will be a POTS filter. This simple device filters certain “noise” from interfering on your ADSL line caused by your phone and vice versa. Without this device you will usually have to forfeit your ability to make normal phone calls and make use of the Internet freely and simultaneously without any interference.

You will require a POTS filter to be connected to each phone jack with a phone present on the same physical line your ADSL modem/router connects to. They are usually in the sub R50 price range and are available at Telkom Direct shops and possibly other electronics related stores.

Once you have a telephone line, the ADSL conversion is complete and your modem/router connects to the exchange reliably, you will now need to register with an ISP for an ADSL account, we at Vanilla offer extremely competitive rates for our unshaped uncapped accounts which are based on the Verizon/UUNET network.

This account will give you the ability to access the World Wide Web.

Well well, this sounds like plenty of work... Not really, it all boils down to 3, simple, easy-to-follow steps:

STEP 1)

You would need to get a line splitter to split your telephone line into two:

  1. 1st line would be your ADSL line which you would attach your ADSL modem or router. (Vanilla recommends getting a device with surge protection and recommended by Telkom and ICASA approved, details on telkom site. Alternatively you can order one of high quality through us here)
  2. 2nd line would be your telephone line (POTS). This line will require a POTS filter so that it can filter out all the ADSL 'noise'.

STEP 2)

Now you would phone us and tell us that you want to order a DSL line and specify 384, 512 etc. Once it is done, you have an ADSL line.

STEP 3)

You now need to register with an ISP, we at Vanilla offer extremely competitive rates for our unshaped and shaped uncapped accounts which are based on the Verizon/UUNET network AND/OR the SAIX (Telkom) network: