FTTH - Parkhurst - Johannesburg

iamgigglz

iamgigglz

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I searched around and found a few news posts on this but nothing more.

I live in Parkhurst and frankly can't wait for this to happen. iBurst is the best I can do at the moment and while I have great signal, it's still only 2mbps, the latency is horrific (150~200ms+) , and it's overpriced.

I don't have huge cap requirements (~50GB) and I never have to download anything big in a hurry, so a free 4mbps line and R3/GB sounds good! The 100mbps option would be awfully tempting, though.

Anyone else here live in Parkhurst? I've signed up for all the communication etc so I'll keep this thread up to date with what's happening. If any "outsiders" have questions about the project post them here and I'll do my best to answer :D

Cheers
 
In their latest communication:

"We have begun the wayleave process for JRA approvals. We are on track to start physical work towards the latter part of August."

So far they have 79% of the required number of moral commitments from Parkhurst residents, and the number is climbing steadily. Apparently they're going to start the role out on the three streets with the greatest number of "moral commitment" houses, and my street is in there! :D
 
dammit , forget parkhurst... rollout this to the rest of South-Africa :) *and please don't charge R20,000 for installation*

I mean, which home use can afford R20,000 for proper Internet, and thats only the installation fee ?

FTTH to Cape Town please :)
 
Surely if everyone is signing up for the 4 meg free service how on earth are they actually making their money ? To cover from infrastructure, backhaul,maintenance

http://www.parkhurstvillage.com/2014/06/19/the-next-vumatel-information-meeting-takes-place-24-june/

How did the meeting go?

Never mind I see Vumatel have updates their website since last I visited them. They will make R2500, excluding hardware.

http://vumatel.com/wp/?page_id=103


4 Mbps Uncapped
R 300 /month

Perfect for the general user

Line Rental - VumaFree = R 0
Uncapped Data = R 300
Unshaped
Contention 1:10
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Time to move to Parkhurst! W00t R300 for uncapped internet that is a steal/bargain.
 
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RichardG said:
Time to move to Parkhurst! W00t R300 for uncapped internet that is a steal/bargain.
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Uncapped, unshaped, synchronous and talk of sub 10ms local latency :love:

I play plenty of online games requiring low latency (driving sim and fps), so I'm really looking forward to anything better than 150ms!

I missed that second meeting, but they've streamed it on Youtube so if you have 96 minutes to spare...

[video=youtube;tHGSeqwoOxI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHGSeqwoOxI[/video]
 
Vumatel in Parkhurst

RichardG said:
Surely if everyone is signing up for the 4 meg free service how on earth are they actually making their money ? To cover from infrastructure, backhaul,maintenance

They will also be charging ISPs for connecting to the users.
They are taking a long-term view: It won't be long before 4 Mbps will be "slow" and people upgrade.
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The cost is in trenching and once that is done you might just as well provision fibre for every property you pass. What would really interest me is how they're getting their back-haul sorted.
 
Timber_MG said:
The cost is in trenching and once that is done you might just as well provision fibre for every property you pass. What would really interest me is how they're getting their back-haul sorted.
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I think Paul's been in touch? We can talk about this one if need be. ;)
 
Napalm said:
and please don't charge R20,000 for installation*

I mean, which home use can afford R20,000 for proper Internet, and thats only the installation fee ?
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That is roughly the cost to roll out FTTH with a take-on rate of 30-50%. The models vary, but in essence whoever provides access needs to recuperate that cost and then start earning a profit. It has been claimed that the mobile providers seek a return of at least 30% (which means after 2.5 years they want to see continued profits after having gotten their capital back), others might take a longer term view.

Like any last mile access the costs start coming own once the subscriber density increases over a certain point. The cost for FTTP (business fibre) serves as the cost baseline for single users. That will come down with time and increased subscriber density. The mobile providers are probably trying to cover their fibre cost to their LTE towers by looking at FTTP (businesses and multi dwelling units) or FTTX.

Parkview will make back their 4mbps subsciber base either through upgrades or by charging the ISPs some form of access portion to their cost base (like Telkom does IPC for example) as well as likely some return from security products. It increases the take-on rate and thus the long-term viability because for example people that still use the internet for only email, security or perhaps VOIP wouldn't be able to justify 50 mbps access now, but might well later. You have to pass their homes anyway, so why forfeit those subscribers?
 
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Timber_MG said:
The cost is in trenching and once that is done you might just as well provision fibre for every property you pass. What would really interest me is how they're getting their back-haul sorted.
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At the info session I was at, Johan indicated (with a slide showing routing) that they're going to use DFA fibre to jack into into Teraco in Isando.
 
They start 25 August 2014
http://www.parkhurstvillage.com/2014/08/14/fibre-to-the-home-rollout-schedule/

VUMA is another step closer to making Parkhurst the most connected suburb in South Africa! We begin construction on the 25th of August 2014, slightly ahead of schedule, and plan to finish on the 29th February 2015.

Here is our detailed roll out schedule, block for block! Click the link below and enter your address. Then click on your block. The map will show you the phase you fall into as well as your planned construction and planned delivery dates.

Please be aware that dates are indicative and subject to change. We will keep you updated, so please keep an eye out for changes.

The VUMA network is built in 3 stages:

Stage 1 - The Core Fibre Ring. This is the green ring on the map. It needs to be in place first. This is the backbone required to carry the data.

Stage 2 – The Access Fibre Network. This connects the core ring to the fibre box on your boundary wall. We will build the access network in 9 phases, 10 blocks at a time. Each phase will take 3 weeks to complete.

Stage 3 - Final installation. Once the fibre box is placed on your wall, a final installation will take the fibre from the wall box into your home. This will be done by appointment when the access network is complete.

We will keep the community informed of incidents and progress during the construction process via the social media platforms and other community media. More detailed information about the process and channels will be made available in due course.

Click here for the Roll Out Schedule

If you have further questions, you can get hold of us on [email protected] or visit www.vumatel.co.za. Our store will open next week at 15 4th Avenue, Parkhurst.
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Pretty sure they are doing fibre on telephone poles and not trenching it.
 
Fibre on poles in SA? Do you want downtime when the copper thieves come?

9ydu3esy.jpg


See that subtle warning? It's not going to stop the thieves.
 
Its going to save a lot of money when it comes to trenching up all the sidewalks.
Money saved for replacing the stolen cables. :p
 
MDKza said:
Its going to save a lot of money when it comes to trenching up all the sidewalks.
Money saved for replacing the stolen cables. :p
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Fibre in ducts have about a five year longer lifespan than fibre strung on telephone poles. On poles they are exposed to the wonderfully powerful elements of Mother Nature. In ducts they are only exposed to elements of human stupidity (people digging them up!). So from a ROI perspective it makes sense to pay a bit extra upfront and then to depreciate it over a longer period.
 
Instead of digging up sidewalks - can't they use the trenching trucks to lay the cables/ducts in the roads...specially where one is located in a hilly area and digging up the pavements through rock becomes a mission.The last few metres to the boundary wall will have to be hand dug but will surely not upset so many sidewalks?
 
Got a letter from Vuma last week under the garage door when I got home. A schedule for when our side walk is due to be dug up and fibre put down. Hope it goes quickly.

I dig their pink branding. So suitable for Parkhurst .... or as my friend called it the other day, Pinkhurst :D
 
I would just like to thank Vumatel for causing a major water pipe burst in our street and leaving us without water since yesterday! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :mad:
 
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