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Fibre vs Fixed LTE vs 5G: which one is right for you?

All three give you uncapped, no-contract home internet — the real difference is how each one is delivered, and that changes what you should expect for reliability, speed and installation.

Check Your Coverage

Short answer: choose fibre if it's available at your address — it's a fixed cable connection, so speed doesn't drop with distance or nearby users. Choose fixed LTE if fibre hasn't reached you yet and you want the simplest, most affordable setup. Choose 5G if you're in a strong-coverage area and want higher speeds than LTE without waiting for fibre. All three are month-to-month with no lock-in contract at Dalkom, so you can start with what's available now and switch later.

How they compare

The core trade-offs, in plain terms.

Factor	Fibre	Fixed LTE	5G
How it connects	Physical fibre-optic cable installed to your home	SIM-based router using the mobile network, fixed to one address	SIM-based router using 5G towers, fixed to one address
Typical setup time	Scheduled installation — depends on network operator	Same-day — plug in the router and go	Same-day — plug in the router and go
Speed consistency	Stable and symmetrical — not affected by other users nearby	Can vary with tower congestion and distance from mast	Higher ceiling than LTE, but also varies with tower load and signal
Best for	Homes and offices wanting the most consistent connection	Renters, moves, or addresses without fibre yet	Areas with strong 5G coverage wanting more speed than LTE
Contract	Month-to-month, no lock-in	Month-to-month, no lock-in	Month-to-month, no lock-in
Starting price	R349/month	R450/month	R800/month

Explore each option

Fibre

A dedicated fibre-optic line run to your property. The most consistent option since your speed doesn't share capacity with neighbours.

From R349/month

See fibre packages →

Fixed LTE

A router using the mobile network at a fixed address. No cable installation needed — ideal where fibre isn't available yet.

From R450/month

See fixed LTE packages →

5G

The newest wireless option, capable of higher speeds than LTE where 5G towers are already in range of your address.

From R800/month

See 5G packages →

Common questions

Is fibre always faster than 5G?

Not always. Fibre gives a stable, symmetrical connection unaffected by weather or nearby tower congestion. 5G can reach very high speeds too, but performance depends on your distance from the tower, signal obstructions and how many other users share that tower at peak times.

Can I get fibre, LTE or 5G if I rent?

Yes. Fixed LTE and 5G need no cabling — just a router and a plug socket, so they are ideal for renters or short leases. Fibre installation is also possible for tenants, usually with landlord permission for the cable run.

What happens during load shedding?

None of the three technologies work without power at your router. Fibre and 5G also depend on the network operator's infrastructure staying powered upstream. A small UPS or power bank for your router is the most reliable way to stay online through an outage.

Can I switch between fibre, LTE and 5G later?

Yes — all Dalkom packages are month-to-month with no lock-in contract, so you can move to a different technology as your coverage or needs change, without cancellation penalties.

Which one should I choose if I just want the cheapest reliable option?

Check your coverage first — price and availability both depend on your exact address. As a starting point, fixed LTE is often the most affordable way to get a reliable, uncapped connection where fibre has not reached yet.