BitCo Consumer Review

[BitCo]

BitCo supplies one Cisco 8 port switch and a Linksys E900 WAN 4 port router with WiFi. All setting are preconfigured on the BitCo equipment including the IP you are allocated.

You cannot use any ports on the Cisco switch as they are all reserved for BitCo use. You can swap out the BitCo router to a brand of your choice and then attach that to your own / existing switch. Your would have to log a ticket with support in writing to do this though.

The equipment remains the property of BitCo.

In my scenario, I have a Netgear WAN WiFi router which I am planning to use instead of the Linksys supplied. I will be connecting all that to my internal Netgear GbE switch to handle the sharing of internet etc..

Hi CriticalConsumer ,

yes you are correct with your post, we would provide you the Public IP and DNS and then you can configure this onto your own router device and connected to the allocated Port on the Cisco switch.

Mike

 

[jcheek]

BitCo supplies one Cisco 8 port switch and a Linksys E900 WAN 4 port router with WiFi. All setting are preconfigured on the BitCo equipment including the IP you are allocated. You cannot use any ports on the Cisco switch as they are all reserved for BitCo use. You can swap out the BitCo router to a brand of your choice and then attach that to your own / existing switch.

Thanks CriticalConsumer!

So the kit-list looks as follows (thanks to No-Rules for the pics here) :
1. Ubiquiti dish with integrated transceiver (PoE-powered) (pic)
2. "Passive PoE" injector (not a standard PoE device) (for Ubiquiti transceiver)(pic)
3. Cisco SF300-08 8-port switch (all ports reserved for Cisco use) (pic)
4. Linksys E900 combo router/switch/WAP (4 x 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports only - not GbE) (pic)

When opting to go for a month to month package and paying the initial R4300 installation fee, does the equipment become the property of the subscriber?

All the radio and switch equipment still belongs to BitCo, but the Wifi Access Point that is provided with the link belongs to you.

Ouch!

 

[BitCo]

Thanks CriticalConsumer!

So the kit-list looks as follows (thanks to No-Rules for the pics here) :
1. Ubiquiti dish with integrated transceiver (PoE-powered) (pic)
2. PoE injector (for Ubiquiti transceiver) (pic)
3. Cisco SF300-08 8-port switch (all ports reserved for Cisco use) (pic)
4. Linksys E900 combo router/switch/WAP (4 x 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports only - not GbE) (pic)



Ouch!

Hi Jcheek,

The reason we retain ownership of the link equipment is due to our SLA, remember is ANYTHING breaks BitCo will replace this equipment at no charge under SLA

You pay monthly fee to us for a fully managed service

Mike

 

[CriticalConsumer]

As of right now I am a happy customer...let's see how it performs tonight when I start streaming...

My Minister of Home Affairs is going to hog the internet tonight to play catchup on Hulu+

 

[CriticalConsumer]

Hi Jcheek,

The reason we retain ownership of the link equipment is due to our SLA, remember is ANYTHING breaks BitCo will replace this equipment at no charge under SLA

You pay monthly fee to us for a fully managed service

Mike

A managed service is generally a good thing because of the SLA in place and like Mike said, equipment is replaced at no cost to the consumer.It is also one of the reasons you pay a little more than your run of the mill ADSL type service.

 

[JV_011_]

Would it be benificial to have our own? Why not use our peering partners servers / other ISP servers?

Garth

heck yeah: this might reduce international traffic substantially even. We might be able to download during the day even. How bout a poll. How many of Bitco subscribers use newsgroups in conjuction with streaming ? Hulu+ doesnt have most of the series that the fam watches.

 

[SauRoNZA]

When are you coming to Cape Town Bitco?

 

[Khodi]

Link activated
I am impressed with the performance thus far, thank you for the excellent service Bitco

 

[Pitbull]

Link activated
I am impressed with the performance thus far, thank you for the excellent service Bitco

Welcome to Bitco

 

[CriticalConsumer]

@Bitco:
So I have logged a ticket via email with [email protected] to have my WiFi password changed and also to use my own router @ around 2pm today - Ticket Refernce: #SP00095302

I would like to know how long does it take generally get a response on this sort of ticket? I understand that are many support tickets to attend to however; would it not be easier to post a How To Guide on using your own router to reduce tickets?

 

[CriticalConsumer]

Welcome to Bitco

Woohoo am in the same boat

 

[Pitbull]

Woohoo am in the same boat

O Nice, welcome

 

[Khodi]

Thank you
I intend to stay

 

[CriticalConsumer]

@Bitco:
So I have logged a ticket via email with [email protected] to have my WiFi password changed and also to use my own router @ around 2pm today - Ticket Refernce: #SP00095302

I would like to know how long does it take generally get a response on this sort of ticket? I understand that are many support tickets to attend to however; would it not be easier to post a How To Guide on using your own router to reduce tickets?

Ok that was quick - now running on my own router woohoo!

Thanks Support!

 

[jcheek]

The reason we retain ownership of the link equipment is due to our SLA, remember is ANYTHING breaks BitCo will replace this equipment at no charge under SLA. You pay monthly fee to us for a fully managed service
Mike

A managed service is generally a good thing because of the SLA in place and like Mike said, equipment is replaced at no cost to the consumer.It is also one of the reasons you pay a little more than your run of the mill ADSL type service.

I have no problem with the concept of "renting" the necessary access equipment (dish, radio, switch etc) rather than owning it. I also have no problem with the concept of paying a fee (on top of the cost of the service itself) for someone to make sure the equipment always works, and to replace it if it breaks.
Whilst it's not my preferred model, I can accept that many customers - most, even - would want to work that way.

In cases where the customer signs up for a fixed period (say 2 years), this makes sense : the BitCo customer never owns the equipment, he/she just pays a fee (over and above the fee for the internet service itself) to "rent" the equipment and have somebody adjust/maintain/replace it if when necessary.

In cases where the customer elects not to be bound by fixed-term contract, but rather go go month-to-month, I gather that a hefty upfront payment is required - R4300 was it ? From answers given previously, I gather that BitCo still retains ownership of the equipment with this model - correct ?
That being the case, what does my R4 300 buy me ? Is it a "deposit" ? Do I get it back when I cancel ?

Edit: My apologies - Found an explicit statement about this at the bottom of the list in BitCo's Home Internet FAQ's.
For the benefit of those having the same questions :The 4.3k "installation and configuration fee" is indeed forfeited if you cancel on the month-to-month deal, and BitCo takes the equipment back. Tough one to sell - I'm guessing most folks go with the "R800 up-front, 1-year term" or "free up-front, 2-year term" options.

 

[Pitbull]

I have no problem with the concept of "renting" the necessary access equipment (dish, radio, switch etc) rather than owning it. I also have no problem with the concept of paying a fee (on top of the cost of the service itself) for someone to make sure the equipment always works, and to replace it if it breaks.
Whilst it's not my preferred model, I can accept that many customers - most, even - would want to work that way.

In cases where the customer signs up for a fixed period (say 2 years), this makes sense : the BitCo customer never owns the equipment, he/she just pays a fee (over and above the fee for the internet service itself) to "rent" the equipment and have somebody adjust/maintain/replace it if when necessary.

In cases where the customer elects not to be bound by fixed-term contract, but rather go go month-to-month, I gather that a hefty upfront payment is required - R4300 was it ? From answers given previously, I gather that BitCo still retains ownership of the equipment with this model - correct ?
That being the case, what does my R4 300 buy me ? Is it a "deposit" ? Do I get it back when I cancel ?

You need to understand the concept behind it thought.

They come to your place (travel expenses, upfront payment for the equipment and salaries for the installation staff) without even knowing if you have coverage or not. In the event that after 3 months you decide you don't want it no more, again they need to travel to your place and remove the equipment.

Now, someone who paid R 4k for the installation won't be a fly by night costumer and will be in it for the long run. You don't pay any on a 24 month as they know for a fact you won't be going anywhere thus guaranteed income for them for 24 months.

From a business point of view they would prefer you take 24 months with no upfront fee as that retains the client.

It's a business model, nothing to do with "owning" the equipment if you understand the concept.

 

[jcheek]

You need to understand the concept behind it thought.

Agreed, though "understanding" and "liking" are two different things.
I subsequently found some info on their website FAQ's which cleared up the 4.3k "installation and configuration fee" specifically.

They come to your place (travel expenses, upfront payment for the equipment and salaries for the installation staff) without even knowing if you have coverage or not. In the event that after 3 months you decide you don't want it no more, again they need to travel to your place and remove the equipment.
Now, someone who paid R 4k for the installation won't be a fly by night costumer and will be in it for the long run.

Understood. I think you might agree, though, that even if it is intended to make provision for the possibility of a future uninstall, 4.3k is a fairly stiff price for an install, given that:
- It doesn't buy you any equipment
- The risk of damage, loss, breakage etc still appears to rest with you (see clause 7.1 of the BitCo T's & C's) (not sure if the "SLA" says otherwise)
- You don't get any part of the fee back if you cancel
That's a huge disincentive to go month-to-month (which might well be the intention).

You don't pay any on a 24 month as they know for a fact you won't be going anywhere thus guaranteed income for them for 24 months. From a business point of view they would prefer you take 24 months with no upfront fee as that retains the client.

Of course.

It's a business model, nothing to do with "owning" the equipment if you understand the concept.

I understand the concept, it's just that I favour a different approach to equipment.
Personally I prefer to own the equipment I use in my network, and to have a hand in choosing it with a view to re-using or re-deploying it in future. I also prefer stuff that I can access and diagnose myself. But I accept that not everyone is on that page.

 

[Sidster]

I ordered my 10 mb package 3 weeks ago and the link finally went in on on Tuesday. Now just waiting for the "soaking" period to be over.

The installation crew was excellent and went above and beyond. They actually told me my signal strength was excellent, one of the best they've seen -51db. Not sure why it would take 3 days to "soak" but I guess that's just how it goes.

I have one request though. I would like to take the provided linksys home router out of the equation. I have a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter PoE and 3 UniFi AP's that provide coverage to my whole property. I am happy with the provided Cisco smart switch however I don't want to go through yet another router to access the internet and have another WiFi station possibly interfering with my existing equipment.

Mike, please let me know if this is possible.
Hi Sidster

Hi Sidster

Sorry about that, I thought I had replied to your post somewhere but clearly missed it.

You have to keep the Ethernet switch supplied but you can certainly replace the router we provide with your own. You can contact support and they will be able to email you the IP address details for your circuit.

Garth

Ok so everything is up and running and performing well. Support provided me with my IP address details and I'm now using my own router. I'm very excited now that everything is finally in and looking forward to a long and happy relationship with BitCo.

Also a special thank you to Shack the installer that set up the dish. Great service!

 

[Pitbull]

Ok so everything is up and running and performing well. Support provided me with my IP address details and I'm now using my own router. I'm very excited now that everything is finally in and looking forward to a long and happy relationship with BitCo.

Also a special thank you to Shack the installer that set up the dish. Great service!

Shadrack. Same guy that did my installation. Top notch guy, still sporting dreads?

 

[Sidster]

Sounds like the same guy yes. I think Shack is his nickname