Restrictions placed on cheap FTTH plans by FNOs

[Daniel Puchert]

Cheap fibre catch in South Africa

Several of South Africa's biggest fibre network operators (FNOs) impose restrictions on their cheapest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) plans.

These include strict device limits and other connectivity restraints, which do not apply to more expensive mainstream products.

 

[PaulGherkin]

Daniel, did you only learn of this now?
WebAfrica and AfriHost, go look for forum complaints about those two and be enlightened
MWEB too. They're king of the Throttle (especially after 5PM)

 

[Joseph matane]

I've encountered inconsistencies in information regarding the Web Connect package, particularly concerning Fair Usage Policy (FUP) and technical specifications.

RSAWEB indicated that Openserve implements throttling, whereas Openserve provided conflicting information. Telkom disclosed a throttle limit, while Axxess only referenced the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) without mentioning FUP. This suggests some ISPs may not apply throttling.


Furthermore, WiFi specifications vary:
- RSAWEB: 2.4GHz ONT WiFi
- Telkom and Openserve: Dual-band for new installations





I appreciate your insights

 

[Swa]

Afrihost doesn't have the lower speed Reach listed.

 

[Swa]

I've encountered inconsistencies in information regarding the Web Connect package, particularly concerning Fair Usage Policy (FUP) and technical specifications.

RSAWEB indicated that Openserve implements throttling, whereas Openserve provided conflicting information. Telkom disclosed a throttle limit, while Axxess only referenced the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) without mentioning FUP. This suggests some ISPs may not apply throttling.


Furthermore, WiFi specifications vary:
- RSAWEB: 2.4GHz ONT WiFi
- Telkom and Openserve: Dual-band for new installations





I appreciate your insights

Correct. Restrictions are applied on ISP level. I don't even think the networks can apply restrictions on a user level.

 

[lotus123]

Smells like collusion, doesn't it?

 

[PaulGherkin]

Smells like collusion, doesn't it?

Smells like typical South African douchebag business behaviour to me.

 

[Nephew_]

Vumatel has emphasised it does not subsidise either its Key or Reach customers’ products with profits from Core customers.

I call big bs on this statement. If this is the truth, then they should make the cheaper packages available to ALL.
The tax paying citizens, are paying for the poor again :-(

 

[TheRoDent]

Cool Ideas supplies the same uncapped, unfettered, unshaped, unlimited connection on any of the lower level packages by Layer2 FNO's as we do on all other networks, with the exception that in general it's CG-NAT-ed. We do offer publics for clients that request it.

There are some DHCP/MAC maximum number of clients restrictions on networks such as Vumatel Reach, but we cannot manage that as it is enforced by the FNO/WiFi ONT provided by them.

Obviously, it's ridiculously easy to just install an additional router behind the WiFi/ONT that acts as a client, whilst providing an AP without MAC restrictions.

OpenServe WebConnect is a Layer3 service from OpenServe, on their network with their IP addresses, which carries some restrictions/potential throttling enforced by them. This is effectively a resell product with no control by the ISP.

This is why we don't offer WebConnect.