Garsfontein, Pretoria - FTTH Signups

[HartsockZA]

How's it going all!

Its quite surprisingly funny that Garsfontein doesn't have a central point of communication regarding discussions of FTTH. Especially on Mybroadband, virtually no one has opened up a page for our little community. Until a couple of days back my area didn't have a page up on Facebook, but with some time on my hands (after work) I got really fed up with Telkom's lack of fiber breakout in my area, mean while DFA has laid down their backbone of fiber through Garsfontein.

Sent same emails to DFA (Dark Fiber Africa) to find out how we can jump onto their network and it's actually not that hard (on paper). All we need is around 350 people that are interested and BAM! we have a way forward. Actually not that simple but still very close, turns out you'll need to elect a ISP that your local community wants and then they'll (DFA) start communicating with the ISP you've chosen and plans will start rolling out.

Anyways, like I said I've stated, I started a Facebook page for Garsfontein East, Pretoria called "Garsfontein Fiber, FTTH Community" and started the sign ups process for 123net's expansion plans for the area. We only need another 261 signs before they can start planing for our area. That being said this page is not only to gain support for 123net's initiative, but also any other ISP requiring sign ups for Garsfontein East Pretoria.

Our neighboring area's like Faerie Glen and Moreleta park have seen quite a bit of fiber breakout already, but Garsfontein just hasn't been touched, even though we posses the fiber backbone to do last km breakout's to houses.
Our page link - https://www.facebook.com/Garsfonteinftth

Any support from the awesome Mybroadband community is welcomed, I'll try to keep this thread posted for any news or if you have any questions regarding the group. We are already up to 103 likes and pushed the sign ups required down from 275 to 261 with our page.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Alkine]

I have seen that Garsfontein is actually one of the top communities on Local Block (https://localblock.co.za/), you may be able to use that to spread the fibre message. How is the initiative in your area going thus far?

 

[HartsockZA]

I have seen that Garsfontein is actually one of the top communities on Local Block (https://localblock.co.za/), you may be able to use that to spread the fibre message. How is the initiative in your area going thus far?

Hi Alkine, Sorry for the late response.

We have deviated a bit from the original plan however we are still on track with regards to community expansion. Our Page has 144 (As of 13/01/2016) with more still trickling in from all over. We have joined with the Lynnwood Fiber Initiative and we has signed interest in Frogfoot's expansion for Garsfontein as well. All documentation regarding their plans as well as technical documentation can be located on our groups page under our notes section.

We are still supporting the effort in gaining more signatures for 123net, all one has to do is click the "Sign up" button located on the top of the groups page. This will take you to their website where the forms are located, currently we are sitting at 246 required signatures (As of 13/01/2016).

Currently no official update has been given by Telkom with regards to the status of Garsfontein expansion with regards to Fiber. However we have contacted everyone in and around Telkom, so please stay glued to our page for updates. As soon as we find out more info we will let everyone know!

Support for our page has grown quite a bit in the past 3 months, we are growing quite well and we are still looking for many more people to join our initiative. So please keep sharing our page to all your friends and family that stay in and around Garsfontein Pretoria.

Have a awesome day further

 

[Alkine]

I think something that is slowing it down is the fact that you are chasing so many leads. Fibre providers are hesitant to enter an area if they think someone else may already be working on that same area.

Your best bet would be to rely on the Frogfoot MOU (since you have already signed it). They fully intend to roll out in Garsfontein, it is just a matter of time. The more people you can direct to the Lynnwood Fibre survey the sooner Frogfoot will reach you since they prioritize on interest. 123Net is dead in the water for Garsfontein in my opinion, since they are struggling on other commitments already. You also do not want to make Garsfontein less attractive for Frogfoot by approaching and advertising other fibre providers for that area.

My advice is to advertise Frogfoot as your fibre partner (which they are since you teamed up with the Lynnwood Initiative) and to ignore the rest. Worst case is you end up with Telkom fibre before Frogfoot makes it to Garsfontein. No one else will reach you sooner than Frogfoot and they are the best fibre provider anyway.

 

[jcheek]

Currently no official update has been given by Telkom with regards to the status of Garsfontein expansion with regards to Fiber. However we have contacted everyone in and around Telkom, so please stay glued to our page for updates. As soon as we find out more info we will let everyone know!

Hi HartsockZA

You may be concentrating more on independent (ie non-Telkom) fibre providers in your quest, but be aware that Garsfontein has recently gone into the "Planned" status on the Telkom FTTH coverage map - see here.

A look through some of the planned/available/installed histories in that thread would suggest that Telkom-based FTTH in Garsfontein will probably be a reality within the next few weeks now, depending on exact location.

Edit : Oops! I see you're already watching that thread. Apologies.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Hi Hartsock

You may be concentrating more on independent (ie non-Telkom) fibre providers in your quest, but be aware that Garsfontein has recently gone into the "Planned" status on the Telkom FTTH coverage map - see here.

That^

Telkom are capable of rolling out much faster than the small independents now they've pulled finger, concentrate on them. Get enough letters of interest and they'll push your area further up the installation queue. And get Woodhill involved.

 

[HartsockZA]

Hi HartsockZA

You may be concentrating more on independent (ie non-Telkom) fibre providers in your quest, but be aware that Garsfontein has recently gone into the "Planned" status on the Telkom FTTH coverage map - see here.

A look through some of the planned/available/installed histories in that thread would suggest that Telkom-based FTTH in Garsfontein will probably be a reality within the next few weeks now, depending on exact location.

Hi, Yes we have links as well as documentation for other network providers on the page. As I stated before we have joined with Lynnwood Fiber and we agree that Frogfoots network is definitely what our residence are aiming for. But we also want to drive the momentum for 123net, Telkom for the meantime is the only "big boy" deploying in our area and they're doing it quite fast too.

Unfortunately no one knows how long this will all take for Garsfontein as Openserve has gone past the deadline for December 2015. Our best bet is Launching End March begin April, that we will see a update with Telkom's plans.

 

[HartsockZA]

That^

Telkom are capable of rolling out much faster than the small independents now they've pulled finger, concentrate on them. Get enough letters of interest and they'll push your area further up the installation queue. And get Woodhill involved.

That's the plan!

I don't stay in the area, but it would be nice if someone that did stay in Woodhill to start a page and get going for that area. Then we can join in one big initiative comprised of many small communities.

 

[HartsockZA]

As the GFC we will strive to inform, direct and support. Our intentions are to fully support Frogfoots expansion plans, however since the LFI is on the list we can only imagine that our area be placed along side LFI for this years project plans. But in the mean time we will support other immediate initiatives to keep people informed, it is inevitable that Frogfoot will put fiber in our area. Solely because people want better prices for line rental and data.

By driving support for other providers (3 so far, 123net, Frogfoot, Telkom) we help create business competition. It is inevitable that more suppliers will launch for our area driving down the costs relating to line rental. Telkom has pulled their finger a little and we can see them using DFA networks infrastructure (Piping) to put their fiber down, greatly decreasing the roll-out time for our area. No one is truly the best fiber provider in my opinion besides putting all your eggs in one basket is not the sound way of doing things.

GFC wants to keep people informed constantly so by saying we officially support other providers is quite unfair. We can go as far as saying we drive the support for other providers that in our opinion are best suited for our areas needs, but Officially we support Frogfoots intentions as soon as they announce plans and time frames for our area.

Edit; LFI (Lynnwood Fiber Initiative) GFC (Garsfontein Fiber Community)

 

[HartsockZA]

Good afternoon everyone,
We have exciting news for Garsfontein!!

Frogfoot fiber is here!

1. Deployment will start in May (or early in June) with traditional trenching.
2. CoT agreed to a micro-trenching trail (monitoring over 6 months). If successful FF will switch over to micro-trenching.
3. REGISTER NOW! The area with most registrations receive fibre first! CLICK HERE!
4. Share and forward this message. The more people sign up in your area the more likely you will be first to receive fiber.
Like, Share, We can do this!

 

[TofuMofu]

Good afternoon everyone,
We have exciting news for Garsfontein!!

Frogfoot fiber is here!

1. Deployment will start in May (or early in June) with traditional trenching.
2. CoT agreed to a micro-trenching trail (monitoring over 6 months). If successful FF will switch over to micro-trenching.
3. REGISTER NOW! The area with most registrations receive fibre first! CLICK HERE!
4. Share and forward this message. The more people sign up in your area the more likely you will be first to receive fiber.
Like, Share, We can do this!

I registered for my area (Equestria). Only moving in in July, but I hope they'll have it deployed by then.

 

[HartsockZA]

I registered for my area (Equastria). Only moving in in July, but I hope they'll have it deployed by then.

Thanks! Please spread the word to anyone you know, Free Cake!

 

[HartsockZA]

31+- Signatures for Garsfontein, C'mon people we need you to keep sharing and getting your friends and your grumpy neighbors on board with us. What Frogfoot is offering is almost 100% a better solution to connect your home and office to tier 1 internet access at a affordable price.

Gone are the days of having to pay 3 bills just to get poor internet access at the end of the day. This is the most reliable way of getting connected. It means your own property value goes up by 10%, you're able to install those real time CCTV camera's without having to worry about buffering.
http://www.frogfootfibre.com/Home/Account/Register

 

[Flameboy ZA]

How many signatures are needed?

 

[HartsockZA]

It's not a matter of how many are needed, its more of how many we can get. if we can hit phase 2 of development it means we can get connected faster then what Telkom is deploying. I'm not sure about you, but I'd love to not pay Telkom anymore.

 

[TofuMofu]

It's not a matter of how many are needed, its more of how many we can get. if we can hit phase 2 of development it means we can get connected faster then what Telkom is deploying. I'm not sure about you, but I'd love to not pay Telkom anymore.

Same here. Telkom se moer

 

[HartsockZA]

GFC is looking for motivated people to help build a brighter and more sustainable future for our community and others surrounding us. If you think you have got what it takes to form part of that role then join the GFC.

Community leaders staying in or around Garsfontein please get in touch with us!
Any and all assistance is welcomed, we want to connect our community with 1st class internet, at a affordable cost effective way. Please give us a private message by clicking the "Message" button at the top of the page.

 

[Flameboy ZA]

Same here. Telkom se moer

What he said

 

[adsl2]

Does anyone know when we can expect Telkom FTTH to be available in Garsfontein?

 

[HartsockZA]

Does anyone know when we can expect Telkom FTTH to be available in Garsfontein?

They say, June, for Telkom...