Brackenfell, Kraaifontein & CellC 4Gs - The Truth!

[BGE]

To bring this to my fellow users attention, I'm re-posting this with an appropriate heading:

CellC's network planning division called me this afternoon. The news is not good. The issue in Brackenfell and Kraaifontein is not tower capacity, but the connectivity between the towers and CellC's core network. At present there is no fibre to the towers in Brackenfell/Kraaifontein(maybe even Durbanville), and therefore CellC is using a microwave links to connect to Bellville(which is as far as their fibre network presently extends). The timeframes for rolling out the fibre network beyond Bellville is not known at this time. Hence I'm screwed, it doesn't matter if I've got decent connectivity from home, the microwave link cannot handle the load, and therefore speeds in the evenings/month end are poor, and will remain so in the forseeable future... even if CellC roll-out their 42mbps tower hardware in Brackenfell it won't help, as backhaul connectivity will suffer even more... that sucks!

Sorry CellC! I have requested a refund, and may well do the same for my in-laws and parents(both residing in Brackenfell)... my in-laws bought the promo specifically for vid skyping family in the UK once or twice a month... this product simply can't do it at the moment, and who knows when it will!

Fact is the a 21mbps 5GB package won't help! Guess I've got to look at ADSL... maybe IBurst... What I cannot fathom for the life of me, is why CellC would continue selling the promo packages in Brackenfell, knowing full well that they cannot accomodate the traffic it would generate... that's really a poor show!

Hopefully the rest of you will experience better speeds with 3 data cards off the network!

 

[ajv]

No man, moving to Brackenfell soon and was hoping to get the Cell C package.

 

[ginggs]

The issue in Brackenfell and Kraaifontein is not tower capacity, but the connectivity between the towers and CellC's core network. At present there is no fibre to the towers in Brackenfell/Kraaifontein(maybe even Durbanville), and therefore CellC is using a microwave links to connect to Bellville(which is as far as their fibre network presently extends). The timeframes for rolling out the fibre network beyond Bellville is not known at this time.

Thanks BGE. Now why didn't we hear this from Cell-C themselves?

 

[SteveO]

Microwave should provide similar rates to Fibre, obviously not as much BW but enough for the tower, very easily. So unless Cell C is rolling out sh#tty Microwave links or they are skimping on the Microwave capacity this should not be the problem. I know of towers all over africa that are using Microwave for primary backhaul and can provide ethernet BW rates easily.

 

[BGE]

Agreed SteveO, latest microwave technology should easily provide enough capacity. I think they skimping, using something with limited capacity of keep costs in check at the expense of us, the consumers!

Or they may be sharing bandwidth on a microwave link, bandwidth segmented/throttled per client???

 

[BGE]

I've been in touch with the networks guys again, and the explanation of the microwave link issues makes sense(to me at least). There are plans afoot to alleviate the congestion, roll-out of fibre optics is closing in on Brackenfell central, they are busy in Vredekloof... so I'll give them another 2 weeks before throwing all the toys of the cot! It seems that certain other 3G providers are blocking them, making the roll-out more difficult and time consuming! They did visit my location and are working on a plan to better the situation, only if it doesn't negatively impact other users! I'm happy with that!

Thank you CellC techie(you know who you are) for the honest direct answer!

 

[Vee]

I am not holding my breath on this one!!

 

[Vee]

I am not holding my breath on this one!!

Looks like Cell C has done some work in the Brackenfell area, my woosh seem to be back and making it through the peak usage time - Well done guys. A big improvement, would have been great if you guys communicated this upfront. Please learn the lessons in how to not only keep your client base but how to keep them happy!

Again big improvement - THANKS

Guess I spoke to soon - back to the normal *****y service

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1258237914.png

 

[morkhans]

@BGE and others in this area. Without committing Ron to anything (met him at the PE 42Mbps launch - great guy!). Rumour has is that some fibre is on its way to a tower near you

 

[MickeyD]

@BGE and others in this area. Without committing Ron to anything (met him at the PE 42Mbps launch - great guy!). Rumour has is that some fibre is on its way to a tower near you

Was also good to hear that the CEO himself is aware of the issues in the area (mention Kraaifontein specifically during his speech).

 

[Vee]

@BGE and others in this area. Without committing Ron to anything (met him at the PE 42Mbps launch - great guy!). Rumour has is that some fibre is on its way to a tower near you

That would be awesome!

 

[ginggs]

Please report problems in this thread.