Vuma Reach Fibre - Mitchell's Plain/Strandfontein

[AfriMan]

I ordered a 100Mbps Vuma line 2 days ago. I just received a call from Mitchells Fibre to schedule a date to install a 20Mbps line. The person from MF insisted that they only do 20Mbps and that Vuma is not them. But the order number that I received from Afrihost correspond with my 100Mbps order.

I tried calling Afrihost, but I cannot wait 40 minutes in a queue - reminds me of Hellkom. Facebook Messenger also no response. A response to email will probably take a day or 2 like my queries of last week.

Can an Afrihost rep assist please.

Got your PM - getting clarity for you.

 

[AfriMan]

Just in general, I think Vuma have launched MF as a "separate" business, so I guess it makes sense that they have allocated certain areas to receive MF service so that this business is sustainable. They may have made some adjustments to the technology and administrative process to support the business model for this venture.

But let me get more clarity on this so we have confirmed info to discuss.

 

[KOPITE]

@AfriMan
Does MF use different equipment then the so called affluent areas and the reason for limiting MF and Vumareach.

No Vuma reps on here to explain themselves

 

[AfriMan]

@AfriMan
Does MF use different equipment then the so called affluent areas and the reason for limiting MF and Vumareach.

No Vuma reps on here to explain themselves

Not necessarily different equipment, but the infrastructure and backhaul might be based on all users being at 20Mbps. Introducing users at higher speeds might create congestion and poor user experience.

That's just a spitball theory though - best to get more clarity from Vuma/MF

 

[KOPITE]

I hear you on the design, but surely when they did their homework wrt uptake and interest from their marketing, they might as well go the usual route as they have a large footprint in the country.

I do give Vuma heads up for laying fibre in areas where no other provider wants to go. By doing this will only increase their base and revenue at the same time. All other providers will still go into affluent areas.

These limited package are just confusing the hell out of everyone

 

[GotToLuveIT]

Vumafail

Rubish, Vumatel was clear what the POC was about and what they offer all along.
The only fail here is listening to an ISP pulling bubbles out of there, you know what - classic bait and switch, when they can't deliver the vaporware they promised.

Go and read the press statement from the Vumatel CEO - they are doing a trial to see if there is a market for this low cost product, if successfully they think there are 700k users in rest of ZA that they can get connected doing the same.

So a new market for them vs the "normal" Vumatel business model. After that Vumatel will look at other options they could offer as part of the low cost product, but to date they have not said they will / or can't.

 

[mandana]

so still not live. this vandalism is gonna make me cry

 

[Jaseyyxx]

I want that 100mbps line

 

[Reezo]

so still not live. this vandalism is gonna make me cry

Where ??

 

[Icemanbrfc]

My install was done, and I'm also not connected..just getting a red blinking light. Guys came out to fix, but nothing

 

[mandana]

zone 6 .... someone stole the whole junction box. Mainline connection and the connection to the houses from that box was damaged, the whole street dead

Icemanbrfc has pics i think

 

[skyman12]

Does anyone have a contact number for a MF rep?

 

[ShakeelH]

zone 6 .... someone stole the whole junction box. Mainline connection and the connection to the houses from that box was damaged, the whole street dead

Icemanbrfc has pics i think

What is wrong with these tik koppe ma bru

 

[Reezo]

zone 6 .... someone stole the whole junction box. Mainline connection and the connection to the houses from that box was damaged, the whole street dead

Icemanbrfc has pics i think

Naatkoppe

 

[mandana]

so day 2 of having a Fibre router in my home but no connectivity...Mitchell's Fibre... this is not the way to start off a relationship

 

[ShakeelH]

so day 2 of having a Fibre router in my home but no connectivity...Mitchell's Fibre... this is not the way to start off a relationship

Was the vandalism close to where you live? Isn't that why you down? Also these kinda of problems seem minor compared to the crap I dealt with when I had Telkom ADSL.

 

[AfriMan]

So have some feedback on Mitchell's Fibre Vuma.

As per our Ops Manager, they are separate companies. So as I suspected, totally different business models, and their costs and revenue models are worked out differently - hence the 20Mbps product and price. Vuma will refer all Mitchell's Plain installations to MF.

 

[AfriMan]

so day 2 of having a Fibre router in my home but no connectivity...Mitchell's Fibre... this is not the way to start off a relationship

Shame, theft and vanadalism are a tough one. These are pretty costly pieces of equipment. And chances are whatever they put there will be stolen again. I know Telkom eventually made a 3 strike rule on copper. After 3 incidents of theft, they don't replace the cables

 

[jparker]

Shame, theft and vanadalism are a tough one. These are pretty costly pieces of equipment. And chances are whatever they put there will be stolen again. I know Telkom eventually made a 3 strike rule on copper. After 3 incidents of theft, they don't replace the cables

Chances are it will happen again, and won’t be limited to one location. Very disheartening

 

[AfriMan]

Chances are it will happen again, and won’t be limited to one location. Very disheartening

Totally feel for providers, it's a bit of a catch 22. If they don't replace, the community is not happy. If they do replace, they risk more theft (and more community unhappiness).

Maybe they will figure out a way to make the equipment more secure.

In the case of mobile operators, they eventually had to place security guards (at a huge cost) to protect generators at mobile towers. It's a big cost for a business, and most are looking for ways to bring costs down so they can lower prices and attract more customers