Fibre Advise - Metrofibre Feedback

[blowdart18]

Metrofibre VS Frogfoot

We are looking at getting fibre in our complex and so far have these two options to go with.
Based on the forum each one has their two cents but can anyone provide further insight on the below:

1) Build quality and installation
2) After sales support
3) Quality of service after the install
4) General problems and concerns to look out for
5) Pricing concerns
6) Build time

And maybe anything else you could share.


########

Thought I would add the progress of the two choices seeing that Metrofibre is currently in the area.

Updated thread title.

 

[Devin_Ashpole]

Hi Blowdart. I have been with Metrofibre Networxx (MFN) for 2 years now, I think I can answer some of the questions you have listed.

1) MFN used existing conduits in the complex to run the fibre through, the same applies in the house. The installation seems solid & they allow you to position the Termination Point where you would like it. From what I gathered - MFN used contractors to do the installations and install the Termination Point

2) I queried a high latency (60ms, it should be 3ms) to some JHB services. I used their support email address to send tracerts, they replied within a day & I began communicating with a NOC engineer/technician. The issue was with Hetzner & "control plane firewalling". It was resolved within 2 weeks of the first email that was sent. Fibre breaks do occur, an SMS usually accompanies them explaining what is going on.
Overall, the after sales support does exist with MFN.

3) I am using MFN as an ISP. I know they use Hetzner (answer above) & Seacom. I have never been shaped or throttled, there isn't an FUP from what I understand. I have the 25 mbps up/down.

4) After installation, there is a 3 month period where you can only use MFN as an ISP, once the period is complete - you can choose an ISP which uses their backbone.

5) The ISP service is more expensive than other ISPs i.e CISP etc etc. I didn't have to pay installation fees because 80% of the complex signed up (that is what I was told).

6) Project was approved in mid Jan & completed in mid April.

Other notes:
The ONT/Router they use is a CALIX 813G, it isn't world class but it does the job. The WiFi coverage it provides isn't as great as the PACE router that Telkom uses for VDSL. I have made use of a range extender & that has solved the problem.

There is no client portal so you cannot upgrade/downgrade or manage your line like you can with Afrihost's Client Zone. You need to call or email to do that.

Overall I recommend MFN and their ISP service.

 

[blowdart18]

@lllDevin564lll Thanks for the feedback !!

I was just concerned with the recent spate of events that I have seen on Facebook about their support, but then again Frogfoot doesn't fair better.

 

[Devin_Ashpole]

@lllDevin564lll Thanks for the feedback !!

I was just concerned with the recent spate of events that I have seen on Facebook about their support, but then again Frogfoot doesn't fair better.

I can recall those events. Fibre breaks were the cause.

 

[blowdart18]

So a bit of feedback based on what has happened so far.

In a space of about a week, we had a demonstration from Metrofibre with regards to the benefits and background of fibre. The whole process was also explained to us, from the site survey, construction, backhaul, wayleaves, signoff, etc etc.

I found the process to be very informative..

On the same day, by luck actually, we also had the guy come out to do the site survey.
He reckons with the infrastructure we have, we should have fibre within 6 weeks.

Still waiting for Frogfoot to come back to us.

 

[blowdart18]

Lines have been drawn over the road to the entrance of the complex, and they are currently busy in the area with the backhaul.

Looks like their wayleave gives them extensive permission to dig where needed as they originally stopped trenching at the top of the road and now they coming down.

Not sure if our application played a part.

 

[blowdart18]

And my assumption was right, I got home this evening and what do I find. A trench line all the way from the top and a neatly dug whole for the equipment.

Must say I am really impressed with the progress so far.

 

[jasweb]

Hi Blowdart. I have been with Metrofibre Networxx (MFN) for 2 years now, I think I can answer some of the questions you have listed.

1) MFN used existing conduits in the complex to run the fibre through, the same applies in the house. The installation seems solid & they allow you to position the Termination Point where you would like it. From what I gathered - MFN used contractors to do the installations and install the Termination Point

2) I queried a high latency (60ms, it should be 3ms) to some JHB services. I used their support email address to send tracerts, they replied within a day & I began communicating with a NOC engineer/technician. The issue was with Hetzner & "control plane firewalling". It was resolved within 2 weeks of the first email that was sent. Fibre breaks do occur, an SMS usually accompanies them explaining what is going on.
Overall, the after sales support does exist with MFN.

3) I am using MFN as an ISP. I know they use Hetzner (answer above) & Seacom. I have never been shaped or throttled, there isn't an FUP from what I understand. I have the 25 mbps up/down.

4) After installation, there is a 3 month period where you can only use MFN as an ISP, once the period is complete - you can choose an ISP which uses their backbone.

5) The ISP service is more expensive than other ISPs i.e CISP etc etc. I didn't have to pay installation fees because 80% of the complex signed up (that is what I was told).

6) Project was approved in mid Jan & completed in mid April.

Other notes:
The ONT/Router they use is a CALIX 813G, it isn't world class but it does the job. The WiFi coverage it provides isn't as great as the PACE router that Telkom uses for VDSL. I have made use of a range extender & that has solved the problem.

There is no client portal so you cannot upgrade/downgrade or manage your line like you can with Afrihost's Client Zone. You need to call or email to do that.

Overall I recommend MFN and their ISP service.

Basically what @lllDevin564lll said

Just 3 changes my side:

3) Using Cool Ideas as ISP and very happy (there are many ISPs you can use AFTER the 3 month "testing" phase)

4) Try to get EVERYONE in the complex to at least install the Fibre TO INSIDE THEIR HOMES when the contractors are ON site. That is a saving of R1000+ rand which Metrofibre paid for.... Even if they say the don't want fibre
a) It increases your selling price / rental income if you have fibre
b) Also when they eventually want fibre it is a 5 mins "install" when everything is INSIDE the house already (else it is digging, drilling etc)....

Other: I have the CALIX 812G (No Wifi) just a "dumb" Fibre to Ethernet box.. Which you then connect to your own router (I use mikrotik but many ISPs provide their own Routers (Tenda, TP Link etc)...

VERY Happy with Metrofibre and Cool Ideas as ISP.. (on 50/50 - all I need and 4 people in the house can Netflix, Youtube download , game "like crazy" all at once)..

J

 

[blowdart18]

So as mentioned I would give a little bit of feedback, we received our site survey planning on Friday detailing where they would dig, conduit space, connection points etc etc.

As it stands they have completed the backhaul to the complex with a neat little box in the garden.

We are now waiting for the final approval from Metrofibre in terms of costs and then we will have a kickoff meeting to start installing.

 

[blowdart18]

I guess this recent wait was the most painful, having signed off the site survey we had to wait up until yesterday for feedback on the site. Obviously everything has to get through the system and process.

BUT all things being said we finally got our kick off meeting scheduled for the 09/07/2019 to meet the contractor that is going to be working on site.

5 weeks later and they going to be starting the build !!

Will keep updated on the progress and maybe some pics along the way.

 

[blowdart18]

I know I said I would take pics, but a bunch of Metrofibre bakkies doesn't do justice.

We had our quick off meeting this morning, the whole idea behind it is so that everyone can introduce themselves and understand the scope of the work.

Basically from a trustee side:

1) make a whatsapp group so information and concerns can be managed
2) arrange for storage of equipment and materials
3) arrange toilet facilities for contractor
4) arrange security access for all those that need
5) discuss a start and finish date
6) discuss date for terminal installation
7) Basically meet any expectations we might have in terms of reinstatement and scope of the work.

Overall it was a simple expectation of what would have over the next month, they officially start their work on Monday so we will see where that takes us.

 

[blowdart18]

So they promptly started as mentioned on Monday, and have actually managed to get far already installing their own sleeves within the existing infrastructure.

However like with most things our complex is 10 years old, so along they way they getting sleeves which have collapsed, so the manual work is coming in. Will post some more pics as we go.

 

[blowdart18]

Very interesting watching how these guys work, once again a lot of work has to be done in terms of digging. it seems like the people who originally built this complex had no clue what they were doing.

Connecting the conduit that will run to the fibre cabinet:

 

[blowdart18]

Digging every where at the moment, but they are pretty quick, open and close in a day.

 

[blowdart18]

These guys are crazy quick, they have already pulled the fibre through all the conduits and have subsequently wrapped all the excess the their respective manholes.

So now we wait for the guys to come and connect each manhole to their junction box or dome.

 

[blowdart18]

Ok so the guys who are meant to do the manhole connections are waiting for all the points to be installed first.

This weekend was actually crazy as they were trying to get as many units done as possible.
But as with most things the complex is already old, with our unit the previous owner tiled over the box so we had to do some tile breaking.

Than we tried the pull cord and that was rusted through so it broke halfway in, thus we resorted to using the push rod to get through the conduit.

Once the actual Fibre is pulled through, the connect it to the box, splice the pairs and wrap everything up and close off. Overall it was probably an hour affair to get this done.

Now we wait for everything else to be done.








And once pulled through everything sitting waiting for final connection:



and just for giggles, only told the guys we had snakes after the install in case he didn't like them: