Openserve is forcing me to use Telkom

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sutekj

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I've tried to put a fiber order in with Cool Ideas, and got this reply back from them.

Good day
Thank you so much for your interest!
Apologies, I regret to inform you however that we do not offer fibre services in Bougain Villas on the Openserve network currently as it is closed access to Telkom an Openserve.
We hope that this changes one day and that Openserve expand access to residential properties.
If there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to ask!
I hope you are very well!
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I've phoned the Estate Manager at Bougain Villas, and they confirmed that that is indeed the case.

Is this legal? I really do not want anything to do with Telkom. Is there anything I can do?
 
You know who Openserve is right? Bottom right of their main page....
 
sutekj said:
I know. But my question is, is this legal?
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There was an article or discussion on it a few months back - I can't recall the outcome.

Although, I think its done this way to cover the cost of doing the installation.
 
Are there any wireless internet options that would be worth a try?

I need around 200GB of bandwidth per month at speeds of at least 20mbps.
 
The clever HOA of your estate signed a contract with Telkom giving them exclusivity in the estate. Its probably a nice 10 year long contract. Thats the real reason for this.
 
sutekj said:
Are there any wireless internet options that would be worth a try?

I need around 200GB of bandwidth per month at speeds of at least 20mbps.
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But I would suggest you try them first before u go the wireless route
 
mono2 said:
The clever HOA of your estate signed a contract with Telkom giving them exclusivity in the estate. Its probably a nice 10 year long contract. Thats the real reason for this.
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I live in an ECHO Foundation Village PE and Frogfoot have laid right up to our Main Gate. ECHO Head Office are reluctant to allow them access as they require a 10 year contract.
 
xrapidx said:
You know who Openserve is right? Bottom right of their main page....
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The difference being is that normally you would pay your ISP not Telkom directly for Openserve fibre access and have nothing to do with Telkom.
 
supersunbird said:
I bet the Competition Commission would love to hear about it...
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Well an Estate is a private area so the rules of the estate is clearly stated everywhere. The HOA which is the residence agreed to this.... If people don't like it then get involved and go to HOA meetings. Being an estate there are quite a few players that would have loved to install fibre so yeah the fact that they allowed Openserve and Telkom ISP and an exclusive they can only blame themselves.
 
cavedog said:
Well an Estate is a private area so the rules of the estate is clearly stated everywhere. The HOA which is the residence agreed to this.... If people don't like it then get involved and go to HOA meetings. Being an estate there are quite a few players that would have loved to install fibre so yeah the fact that they allowed Openserve and Telkom ISP and an exclusive they can only blame themselves.
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The OpenServe/Telkom ISP thing is what I am talking about, you are off on some other tangent. If Vumatel or Vodacom or whomever install fibre with some exclusivity agreement, they are happy no matter what ISP is used. I just think the CC will be interested in that OS is giving Telkom ISP preference.
 
supersunbird said:
The OpenServe/Telkom ISP thing is what I am talking about, you are off on some other tangent. If Vumatel or Vodacom or whomever install fibre with some exclusivity agreement, they are happy no matter what ISP is used. I just think the CC will be interested in that OS is giving Telkom ISP preference.
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Well we don't know the details of the deal but what if Telkom ISP won the contract from the HOA and decided that to contract/outsource to Openserve to install the fibre network.

This is not new though so I'm sure they went through all the legal processes.
 
cavedog said:
Well we don't know the details of the deal but what if Telkom ISP won the contract from the HOA and decided that to contract/outsource to Openserve to install the fibre network.

This is not new though so I'm sure they went through all the legal processes.
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Well then, did Telkom tender the outsourcing or just go to OpenServe by default?

Monka said:
It is a well documented agreement between the HOA and Telkom. It's an exclusivity agreement
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I'm talking CC in regards to Telkom ISP and OpenServe, capiche?
 
supersunbird said:
Well then, did Telkom tender the outsourcing or just go to OpenServe by default?



I'm talking CC in regards to Telkom ISP and OpenServe, capiche?
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Open Serve and Telkom are the same entity just different branding divisions. It is like complaining that PnP Supermarket has only PnP Clothing stores stock. That is their brand and shop, they can do as they chose. The issue here is not Competition Commission and Telkom/Open Serve but with the Home Owners and their exclusive agreement.
So the point is Open Serve do the work and run the network under the Telkom brand, that all it is, 2 different departments so there is no need for a tender, if Open Serve outsource the work, then that is another conversation.
 
sutekj said:
Are there any wireless internet options that would be worth a try?

I need around 200GB of bandwidth per month at speeds of at least 20mbps.
Click to expand...
Wireless is never going to be the same as fibre.
You have LTE which either Rain with an expensive R50/GB during peak if you have coverage or Telkom LTE to compare to fibre prices. Otherwise you may have another provider.
this is really get fibre and be happy or stick it to Telkom and never have a good experience...
 
Just for clarity Openserve is not forcing you, your Home Owners is, they signed the agreement.
 
sutekj said:
I know. But my question is, is this legal?
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It's legal, that's what your estate signed up for.

They could have negotiated for open access, but there's probably either a hidden agenda or gross negligence as to why they went with closed...
 
sutekj said:
I've tried to put a fiber order in with Cool Ideas, and got this reply back from them.



I've phoned the Estate Manager at Bougain Villas, and they confirmed that that is indeed the case.

Is this legal? I really do not want anything to do with Telkom. Is there anything I can do?
Click to expand...
Openserve is not forcing you to do anything, Your HOA Signed an agreement with Them for exclusivity so its Legal.
Your Issue is with your HOA not Openserve / Telkom
 
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