Do fibre carriers price match? If not how do they compete in the same areas?

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shadow_man

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As an example i've got both Vumatel and Octotel coming to my neighbourhood (at roughly the same time).

The only difference I can see (other than the method of trenching) is that Vuma is +-R200 more expensive than Octotel on all the higher end packages e.g. 100Mbps+ (the lower end packages seem to be similar value.)

Why would one pick one over the other, if you're getting the same ISP and more value at the end of the day?

Some random examples below:

OCTOTEL:

100/25 - AFRIHOST - UNCAPPED = R1097
100/25 - WEB AFRICA - UNCAPPED = R999
20/5 - AFRIHOST - UNCAPPED = R797


VUMA:

100/10 - AFRIHOST - UNCAPPED = R1247
100/10 - WEB AFRICA - UNCAPPED = R1199
20/2 - AFRIHOST - UNCAPPED = R777

As another example WA 50/5 on VUMA is R999 and on WA 100/25 on OCTOTEL is R999. There's a crazy difference in value there.
 
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Syphonx

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They don't price match, but Vumatel probably has better network quality than Octotel. IMO seems like Octotel has faults way more often than Vumatel. Might as well go with the cheaper option. The one plus to Vumatel is that the connection to the exchange is ActiveEthernet, thus 1:1 instead of GPON where it might be 32:1 or 64:1.
 
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chunk10

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You looking at the wrong ISP's rather look at Cool Ideas or Home-connect you will see pricing is more in line with each other.

Stay away From Afrihost on fibre their offering is just stupid.
 
Archer

Archer

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jsheed_sa said:
As an example i've got both Vumatel and Octotel coming to my neighbourhood (at roughly the same time).

The only difference I can see (other than the method of trenching).
Click to expand...

They trench differently??
 
pinball wizard

pinball wizard

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Clayman said:
O yes meant to ask you, J, is SADV's proposed network in my area GPON or AON?
Click to expand...

We're GPON all over. But for an end user, there is no difference in the two from a user experience. As in they have pro's and cons both, from a network perspective, the main ones being that GPON is cheaper to install, but more expensive to maintain, and point to point ethernet is the opposite, so it's swings and roundabouts, but neither really make a difference to end user speed or internet experience.
 
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irBosOtter

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Area I live in (Sonstraalheights) was supposed to get fibre from Octotel but then Vumatel came in as well, got this mail from Vumatel:

Thank you for your support to bring Vumatel fibre to your home. We recently started construction and the rollout of fibre to your area.

It has come to our attention that permission (a second wayleave permit) has been granted to another network operator, who has also started trenching in your area.

In order to avoid confusion of having both teams working in the same area, we have engaged with the other party. It has been agreed that the other party will immediately cease all work in the area and Vumatel will continue with their rollout.

Please note, we will complete all trenching within the next week. We will continue to keep you updated with our progress and engage with the suburb throughout the project.

Sucks cause I only want 10Mb, no 10Mb on Vuma so 10Mb adsl works out cheaper than the crap offerings on their network
 
supersunbird

supersunbird

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irBosOtter said:
Area I live in (Sonstraalheights) was supposed to get fibre from Octotel but then Vumatel came in as well, got this mail from Vumatel:

Thank you for your support to bring Vumatel fibre to your home. We recently started construction and the rollout of fibre to your area.

It has come to our attention that permission (a second wayleave permit) has been granted to another network operator, who has also started trenching in your area.

In order to avoid confusion of having both teams working in the same area, we have engaged with the other party. It has been agreed that the other party will immediately cease all work in the area and Vumatel will continue with their rollout.

Please note, we will complete all trenching within the next week. We will continue to keep you updated with our progress and engage with the suburb throughout the project.

Sucks cause I only want 10Mb, no 10Mb on Vuma so 10Mb adsl works out cheaper than the crap offerings on their network
Click to expand...

Sounds like something I'd take to the competition commission (except if there is a clear understanding that the other operator will start to roll out immediately afterwards).
 
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avr-rulez

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you could also read that as Vumatel will do trenching for both??

"Vumatel will continue with their rollout." "their" and not "our" rollout...
 
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HeftyCrab

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Syphonx said:
They don't price match, but Vumatel probably has better network quality than Octotel. IMO seems like Octotel has faults way more often than Vumatel. Might as well go with the cheaper option. The one plus to Vumatel is that the connection to the exchange is ActiveEthernet, thus 1:1 instead of GPON where it might be 32:1 or 64:1.
Click to expand...

someone I know is on Octotel in Seapoint and they have had stellar performance.No issues since they got the fibre.

Im on Vumatel in CT Northern suburbs and theyve had a few issues, including having their ONLY backbone being cut.

I guess it just depends
 
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image132

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HeftyCrab said:
someone I know is on Octotel in Seapoint and they have had stellar performance.No issues since they got the fibre.

Im on Vumatel in CT Northern suburbs and theyve had a few issues, including having their ONLY backbone being cut.

I guess it just depends
Click to expand...

Doesn't it always? Gosh when have you ever heard of one ISP/company having consistent performance everywhere.

On a side note, are vumatel an ISP as well as a fibre provider? Do you know what backbone they use, its not IS is it?
 
Clayman

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image132 said:
Doesn't it always? Gosh when have you ever heard of one ISP/company having consistent performance everywhere.

On a side note, are vumatel an ISP as well as a fibre provider? Do you know what backbone they use, its not IS is it?
Click to expand...

Vumatel is pretty consistent, in my opinion.
Vuma is the Tier2 provider. Generally it works like this:

Tier1 Network Operator - DFA (Dark Fibre Africa)
Tier2 Network Operator - Vumatel, SADV, Fibrehoods, Octotel, etc..
Tier3 Network Operator - ISPs such as Afrihost, WebAfrica, Vox, etc...
 
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image132

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Clayman said:
Vumatel is pretty consistent, in my opinion.
Vuma is the Tier2 provider. Generally it works like this:

Tier1 Network Operator - DFA (Dark Fibre Africa)
Tier2 Network Operator - Vumatel, SADV, Fibrehoods, Octotel, etc..
Tier3 Network Operator - ISPs such as Afrihost, WebAfrica, Vox, etc...
Click to expand...

Exactly. Your experience with vuma is great but go read in the CI thread or ask heftycrab. Its really really difficult to eliminate all issues so everyone's experience varies.

I understand the tier system. Tier 1 operators build backbone and interconnects between cities and provinces. Tier 2 operators build networks within cities and usually provide last mile. Tier 3 operators push data over T1 and T2 networks. It's my understanding that the tier 3 operator determines what backbone is used as they have control over how your packets are routed. In the same way they have control over what international link your traffic gets used on.
 
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Reaver.ZA

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Syphonx said:
..The one plus to Vumatel is that the connection to the exchange is ActiveEthernet, thus 1:1 instead of GPON where it might be 32:1 or 64:1.
Click to expand...

Wait this is interesting, is this what vuma rolls out as standard? Or does it depend on the area? Source?
 
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