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Fibre!!! again...

Smurf

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Hi Gents,

so my suburb is finally in the line for fibre thanks to Vodacom supplying the infrastructure, spoke the sales guy/ door to door man :) and he mentioned vodacom will be open to other ISP's, but i am totally clueless when it comes to fibre. we currently using a telkom 4mb ADSL which is kinda crappy..... noticed Cool ideas has a Balwin ISP if i understand correctly (Balwin Fibre - Cool Ideas - Your Fibre Guy). first of all how is Cool ideas/ balwin as an ISP? Any suggestions will be appreciated, looking at 20/20 seeing the package is +- R700

also noticed you get a free router, but some say when you cancel you have to return the router, others then again say no need... so im look at worst case scenario my own router, noticed a cheapy with a WAN port is exceptable, if anyone can assist would highly appreciate it.
 
A lot of the ISPs employ a free-to-use model for the router. That said, they are mostly very inexpensive routers. Cool Ideas use a bottom-of-the-range TP-Link WR840N where you cannot even change the subnet...

There are exceptions like RocketNet, where you can get something like a TP-Link Archer C2. RocketNet happen to have an ownership program for the routers if you take a top package over 6 months.

I can highly recommend you just use your own router...more specifically, grab an Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X.

Ubiquiti Networks - EdgeRouter[emoji769] X

16e981519e52596dbd59947ad6d07fb1.jpg
 
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A lot of the ISPs employ a free-to-use model for the router. That said, they are mostly very inexpensive routers. Cool Ideas use a bottom-of-the-range TP-Link WR840N where you cannot even change the subnet...

There are exceptions like RocketNet, where you can get something like a TP-Link Archer C2. RocketNet happen to have an ownership program for the routers if you take a top package over 6 months.

I can highly recommend you just use your own router...more specifically, grab an Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X.

Ubiquiti Networks - EdgeRouter[emoji769] X

16e981519e52596dbd59947ad6d07fb1.jpg
@justplainpete thanks for the input. I don't mind getting my own router in all honesty would rather get my own to avoid any issues later.

I was looking at a Tp link wr940n or the Asus ac750.

The whole fibre thing is totally different then just getting a ADSL account etc.

What I would like to know is if I go with cool ideas as an ISP and choose that balwin do the installation as I understand that cool ideas is still the ISP? Any other recommendations you can recommend?
 
I've been with Cool Ideas since the dawn of fibre time and they've been great. Quick to respond, competent call centre staff, consistent line performance and the pricing is on point.

Wait to try out the router they give you before buying your own. The one they gave us (can't remember the model now) was actually very good. It was a Tenda which I'm not a fan of but it performed flawlessly and we're not exactly light users - CS:GO via wifi while the wife streams 1080p netflix while the NAS downloads a torrent...
I tried a few "better" routers but always ended up going back to the orginal one. Switching to a full on Ubiquiti setup (Unifi Security Gateway with two APs) was the only way I got an improvement, and even then it was marginal.
 
I just want more competition to drive the prices down to Europe level internet pricing. Since that is affordable [emoji14]

Fibre starts at R400+ without Voice and ADSL 4mbps is double the cost of 2mbps (which I am currently on).
LTE starts from R300 but data is the limit and for a reasonable amount it would cost R500pm.

I guess when I start working I'll be able to afford it but cannot do much while I'm at home. Guess I at least have internet
 
I have Vodacom Fibre... it was the worst thing our body corporate did! We've all been locked into 2 year contracts and it is most definitely not open access! We were promised that they would open it up to other ISPs within 6 months of going live as they wanted to make sure that their network was stable, its been almost two years and its still not open access.
Have a look at Vodacom's website, they do not allow any other ISPs on their infrastructure. They will however be happy to be your ISP over other companies' infrastructure.
 
@justplainpete thanks for the input. I don't mind getting my own router in all honesty would rather get my own to avoid any issues later.

What I would like to know is if I go with cool ideas as an ISP and choose that balwin do the installation as I understand that cool ideas is still the ISP? Any other recommendations you can recommend?

I can’t comment on the cellular service providers and would prefer not to...

With RocketNet or Cool Ideas (CISP) you can’t go wrong. Cheapest, unmetered, no throttling of any kind. There’s not even a dashboard to check usage lol...

Judging from what the other guys are saying, you might not have the luxury of choice...hope that proves to be wrong.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah I also nervous about the whole Vodacom infrastructure... But on there website I got this

Vodacom Fibre – Terms and conditions | Vodacom

It's seem only certain 3rd party providers are accepted if I understand correctly?

I believe you are talking about point 6 - "Vodacom has partnered with 3rd Party Network Providers to provide the network infrastructure through which Vodacom offers Fibre services as an Internet Service Provider (ISP)." which actually says that you can use Vodacom as an ISP on other 3rd parties's networks. What you want is to use other ISPs on Vodacom's fibre network which Vodacom does not allow.

As stated before, if its within your power do not go with them! If you have no choice then just accept Vodacom as your overlord and give them your banking details... at least you will be getting fibre.
 
Is it possible to get internet with speeds of 4/1 or 8/2 for less than R600? Looking at 100GB or more on capped or uncapped with those speeds.

If it is, that is fantastic.
 
I believe you are talking about point 6 - "Vodacom has partnered with 3rd Party Network Providers to provide the network infrastructure through which Vodacom offers Fibre services as an Internet Service Provider (ISP)." which actually says that you can use Vodacom as an ISP on other 3rd parties's networks. What you want is to use other ISPs on Vodacom's fibre network which Vodacom does not allow.

As stated before, if its within your power do not go with them! If you have no choice then just accept Vodacom as your overlord and give them your banking details... at least you will be getting fibre.
Hi Bud,

i see vodacom needs to be the isp, but if i use vodacom as the isp as per there website and choice one of there Providers like WAN that has a 10/10 for R755 still better then sheeetkom for a 4mb?
 
While there are some people that are clued up about routers.
What are people's thoughts on the Tenda AC1200?
Rather look at it like this:

1)Warranty
2)bugs - check manufactorers forum
3)Do you need Gbps ports or will 100Mbps do?
4)Do you need N 5Ghz or AC 5Ghz?

Then decide based on what you need. I personally wouldn't use or sell Tenda (No specific reason reason then my own prejudice of it being a cheap brand and the fact I can get a longer warranty from another brand).

With that said, if your not too tech savvy / don't want to be bothered with technical stuff, then get a Asus router IE 'RT-ABC123XY' . You can also use a DSL modem as the router (ISP{ provides fibre modem) if you want to save some costs.

If you want something with serious wifi coverage, get a Mikrotik I'v used the 9xx units with massive success due to 1)Gb ports, 2)2mA wifi & 3)great configuration ability.
 
Hi guys.

So the house I'm moving into already has fibre installed and they are currently using it. Now before I move in I have the following questions:

* Do I still need to pay an installation fee?
* I want to buy a router second hand to save costs. Which cheap routers do you guys recommend. Nothing special, just want something that works. The house is not that big.
* Will it be a case of moving in, buying an account from vox or axxess or where-ever and then everything should just work?
 
Is it possible to get internet with speeds of 4/1 or 8/2 for less than R600? Looking at 100GB or more on capped or uncapped with those speeds.

hmmmm, I don't have more than 1meg UP and I am on 10meg line...
 
Hi guys.

So the house I'm moving into already has fibre installed and they are currently using it. Now before I move in I have the following questions:

* Do I still need to pay an installation fee? - No. Unless landlord is a dick.
* I want to buy a router second hand to save costs. Which cheap routers do you guys recommend. Nothing special, just want something that works. The house is not that big. - Asus DSL14u or the Asus RT (dedicated routers).
* Will it be a case of moving in, buying an account from vox or axxess or where-ever and then everything should just work? It depends. If landlord has a contract including data then no. If they have no data account then yes. I would go with VOX.
 
@souljazk I already have the Asus 14U, got it for ADSL a few years ago. Is it really good enough for fibre?

Its good for a standalone router+wifi.

In a nut shell dibre works liike this - Fibre line into your house > Fibre capable modem ("dials" the internet. Has no wifi.) > router (in your case Asus 14u) (be aware there is a RT-14u and DSL-14u) then does DHCP, LAN routing and wifi.

Ideally ou want the wifi point, in the center of your house / area where you want wifi coverage. Its good to do a site survey and see that where you mainly need wifi, you choose a channel(s) with the least interference.
 
Hi guys.

So the house I'm moving into already has fibre installed and they are currently using it. Now before I move in I have the following questions:

* Do I still need to pay an installation fee?
* I want to buy a router second hand to save costs. Which cheap routers do you guys recommend. Nothing special, just want something that works. The house is not that big.
* Will it be a case of moving in, buying an account from vox or axxess or where-ever and then everything should just work?
If you are able to setup the Mikrotik routers, I would try a cheap fibre modem and Mikrotik hAP Lite (R360 from takealot).

Wouldn't be more than R1k and it would be a decent combo. I'm moving over to it shortly once I have learnt how to configure the Mikrotik
 
Hi guys.

So the house I'm moving into already has fibre installed and they are currently using it. Now before I move in I have the following questions:

* Do I still need to pay an installation fee?
* I want to buy a router second hand to save costs. Which cheap routers do you guys recommend. Nothing special, just want something that works. The house is not that big.
* Will it be a case of moving in, buying an account from vox or axxess or where-ever and then everything should just work?
If you are able to setup the Mikrotik routers, I would try a cheap fibre modem and Mikrotik hAP Lite (R360 from takealot).

Wouldn't be more than R1k and it would be a decent combo. I'm moving over to it shortly once I have learnt how to configure the Mikrotik

I’ve got the Mikrotik setup with my 100mb fibre line, Mikrotik routerboard and then three of those hAP lites as wireless access points and it just works! Couldn’t be happier. I wanted the UniFi setup but when you compare the cost it’s just to much compared to the Mikrotik counterpart.

I’ll try find the YouTube video I used to set everything up as it was quite a challenge but once it’s up, it’s up. No downtime so far for me in 8plus months
 
I’ve got the Mikrotik setup with my 100mb fibre line, Mikrotik routerboard and then three of those hAP lites as wireless access points and it just works! Couldn’t be happier. I wanted the UniFi setup but when you compare the cost it’s just to much compared to the Mikrotik counterpart.

I’ll try find the YouTube video I used to set everything up as it was quite a challenge but once it’s up, it’s up. No downtime so far for me in 8plus months
Thanks man, yes the YouTube video will be nice, the entire setup sounds super complicated
 
I’ve got the Mikrotik setup with my 100mb fibre line, Mikrotik routerboard and then three of those hAP lites as wireless access points and it just works! Couldn’t be happier. I wanted the UniFi setup but when you compare the cost it’s just to much compared to the Mikrotik counterpart.

I’ll try find the YouTube video I used to set everything up as it was quite a challenge but once it’s up, it’s up. No downtime so far for me in 8plus months
Thanks man, yes the YouTube video will be nice, the entire setup sounds super complicated

I just copied everything this guy did with the routerboard and and wireless APs and everything just works :)

 

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