Royal Ascot in Cape Town - anyone live there?

[themank]

To be fair, my line has been pretty stable. Haven't been here that long though.

Mine was stable at 10mbps but slowly been degrading over time. Telkom just say that "it's a best effort service" and they can't do anything because technically it is working. Oh well, hope we get an upgrade soon.

 

[Praemon]

Yeah. Better safe than sorry. A very odd time for a Telkom rep to do house calls. I wonder what the plan was, though. What if I'd gone out to meet the dude?

I had the same thing about 2 months ago. It's actually a telemarketing-type company acting on behalf of Telkom, although they don't mention that at all, and even when asked, they say they're from Telkom and even wear Telkom shirts. They phoned me up and said they were "changing lines in the area" and this would affect my line, although they weren't able to tell me how I was affected over the phone, so I agreed to the meeting. When the guy pitched up, he was trying to sell 10Mbit/20Mbit services from Telkom and nothing was happening to my line, which pissed me off. So I don't think it's a "scam", but they are pushy and will say anything to get a sale.

 

[hj2k_x]

I had the same thing about 2 months ago. It's actually a telemarketing-type company acting on behalf of Telkom, although they don't mention that at all, and even when asked, they say they're from Telkom and even wear Telkom shirts. They phoned me up and said they were "changing lines in the area" and this would affect my line, although they weren't able to tell me how I was affected over the phone, so I agreed to the meeting. When the guy pitched up, he was trying to sell 10Mbit/20Mbit services from Telkom and nothing was happening to my line, which pissed me off. So I don't think it's a "scam", but they are pushy and will say anything to get a sale.

Ya, that would make more sense to me.

 

[StrontiumDog]

These guys were doing the rounds around our neck of the woods last month.

SecurityAlert! Two males, posing as Telkom employees, are calling on... homes to supposedly upgrade telephone/internet lines. They have Telkom ID's as well as the homeowners details. Very forceful. Toyota Bubble light blue, registration CA27009. Do not allow them entry into your home. Alert your family members to be aware of these shady characters be Careful they fake they couldn't get it right in athlone so going all over the areas

First hand accounts said that they looked dodge, well especially the one dude. Another 2 people waiting in the car when the first 2 come a knocking.

edit: Apparently also wearing Telkom uniforms.

Around Athlone and Rondebosch East, etc...

Also, their car reg was tracked down to a house in Surrey Estate IIRC. SAPS provided the info to someone in the neighbourhood watch.

 

[hj2k_x]

These guys were doing the rounds around our neck of the woods last month.
First hand accounts said that they looked dodge, well especially the one dude. Another 2 people waiting in the car when the first 2 come a knocking.

Interesting. Where is that from?

 

[StrontiumDog]

Interesting. Where is that from?

Updated my post above.

 

[FHTheron]

Does anyone know what their goal is yet? If so, I missed that info. Sounds like a way to gather personal identities.

 

[StrontiumDog]

Does anyone know what their goal is yet? If so, I missed that info. Sounds like a way to gather personal identities.

It wasn't clear, but possibly scope out the premises so as to know which will make nice loot worthy targets?

 

[hj2k_x]

Does anyone know what their goal is yet? If so, I missed that info. Sounds like a way to gather personal identities.

I'll send the body corporate a message.

 

[hj2k_x]

They are coming back tonight. They sent me an sms. I've told them to rather email me.

They certainly are persistent whatever they are.

I've let the BC know.

 

[FHTheron]

Well, if they are indeed legit (which we all doubt), please tell them someone in Birkdale Village wants VDSL too.
(We don't actually have an intercom, so don't think they would even try here).

Also, I have register for interest online at Telkom's usual place two or three times in the past. They really should use that channel for this sort of thing. They have my address and phone number, if they wanted to target this area specifically, they could have phoned me long ago.

 

[hj2k_x]

Well, if they are indeed legit (which we all doubt), please tell them someone in Birkdale Village wants VDSL too.
(We don't actually have an intercom, so don't think they would even try here).

Also, I have register for interest online at Telkom's usual place two or three times in the past. They really should use that channel for this sort of thing. They have my address and phone number, if they wanted to target this area specifically, they could have phoned me long ago.

OK. If they manage to get in (we're not letting them in) and somehow make contact, we'll point them in your direction

 

[StrontiumDog]

Lol, funny how a cape town car (I saw it with my own eyes across the road) made it to Jhb

http://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/181211/telkom-warns-residents-to-be-wary-of-fake-technicians/
Panorama Resident’s Association chairperson Jon Rosenberg issued a crime warning to residents in his suburb. “This week on our emergency Whatsapp group we distributed a message where we warned residents about two males who were posing as Telkom employees to gain access to homes in and around Johannesburg.” He explained that the two men drive around in a light blue Toyota with registration number CA27009.Managing Executive at Telkom Jacqui O’Sullivan expressed the company’s concern about the modus operandi of the suspected criminals. “Telkom would like to alert customers to be on the lookout for these suspects who claim to be Telkom technicians. Upon entry they steal laptops, cellphones, money and other valuables.”O’Sullivan explained that the perpetrators arrive unannounced and claim that they need to upgrade the telephone or internet lines. Residents should demand to see the identity cards of these technicians upon arrival. “Also ask the technicians to quote the relevant reference number that has been assigned to the customer for a fault repair or new installation before allowing them onto their properties. These precautions must be communicated to every person who is likely to be home during the day, including domestic employees,” she urged.She added that residents can call 0800 474 747 if they are suspicious. “They can verify the ID card of the technician and confirm whether or not he/she is working for Telkom.”Rosenberg concluded and said that no incidents have been reported to him yet but he pointed out that residents should remain wary.

 

[FHTheron]

If you want Fibre, WebAfrica has a nice page to register interest. I can't get Vumatel to find my address, but WebAfrica accepts anything and also responded quite quickly with a rather encouraging message:

Thank you for your enquiry. We’re definitely participating in all fibre roll-outs throughout the country. I shall keep your details and get back to you once this has been rolled out.

Might be a template reply, but if it is I still like it.

You can register some scrolls down on this page:
https://www.webafrica.co.za/fibre.php

 

[hj2k_x]

Meanwhile, burst pipe means no water tonight. Sigh.

 

[FHTheron]

Meanwhile, burst pipe means no water tonight. Sigh.

Yeah that isn't great, kind of trying to find the bliss of ignoring it for now. Which pipe is it?

 

[hj2k_x]

Yeah that isn't great, kind of trying to find the bliss of ignoring it for now. Which pipe is it?

Good question.

 

[FHTheron]

Apparently it's by Esso Road, sort of just across Koeberg. Not sure if it actually helps to know that, just hope it gets fixed soon.

 

[Smartieee]

Hi guys,

I moved to Birkdale Village at the beginning of the month and Telkom put me on 4 meg internet (which has now been transferred to AXXESS). I typically get download speeds of 380KB but also was told that my signal interference is quite bad at 55dB and the ideal line speed should be 2 megs despite being connected to a VDSL exchange (apparently located close to Milnerton SAPs).

Would any of you guys know about any potential upgrades or plans for fibre roll outs for Royal Ascot? I see that Birkdale Village very close to the border of faster Telkom access and it’s a pity that we are stuck with slower DSL.

As an FYI I was also affected by the water pressure issues last night, glad it came back in the morning!

 

[FHTheron]

Welcome

I'm also in Birkdale, attenuation is 50.5dB and I have tried to go faster, but they eventually stopped trying because nothing faster was stable (lots of bit errors). 55dB might be pushing it, but I only get 370KB download max, so you seem to be fine. Asked TelkomZA long ago what my options are and the response was sympathetic, but disappointing. We are as far from the exchange as we possibly can be and we can't connect to the same one the people across the roundabout connect to. Apparently for Telkom to upgrade this part would mean digging up the roadside and installing new cables (not sure I get it), so in summary, we're kind of stuck.

That said, register interest here https://www.webafrica.co.za/fibre.php or maybe try Neotel's new Wireless Broadband stuff - expensive, but according to their coverage map the racecourse has coverage that ends just before the residential units (odd), so we might just have a chance.