Written by Quintin Coetzee
Introduction
In recent years, South Africa has undergone somewhat of an internet infrastructure transformation. From the perspective of residents, this has definitely been for the better.
Up to the point that a handful of local fiber infrastructure providers began laying out their networks across the country, South Africans (especially residential consumers) had to make do with using Telkom’s aging above-ground copper cables to connect to ADSL (or VDSL if you were lucky to have such a DSLAM in your area), or pay through the nose for wireless connectivity, such as 3G, using a dongle. Not an ideal situation by any measure, especially considering the rapid growth of online media consumption, shopping, and communication, that has by no means avoided South African uptake.
Major infrastructure providers
Fortunately, there are now a number of fiber providers installing an ever-expanding network of underground and aerial cables across the country. Some of the major infrastructure providers have been listed below, and you can click through to their websites to find out more information.
These companies compete (something that was not present under Telkom’s monopoly) to install fiber optic cable in suburbs across the country. Consumers (both business and residential) can then choose their preferred ISP to get data from, over the line. Unless your neighborhood association petitions a particular provider on behalf of residents, it’s generally not possible to choose the fiber infrastructure installer, although some areas do have access multiple. These companies choose areas based on perceived uptake, and by extension, profitability. This does not mean that only wealthy areas are getting cable, however, as volumes in areas with lower average household incomes also lead to revenue.
How to see if you have fiber in your area
You may already have fiber in your area, in which case you can skip to the section below about getting connected through an ISP. You can check the perimeter wall of your property for a small box that may be a fiber access point (pictured below), or ask your landlord or body corporate, if applicable.
Fiber connection point on the border of a property.
Below are links to coverage maps or area lists for the respective major providers. You can use these to see if your area already has fiber, or is part of the imminent planned roll-out. It is best to check all providers, as it may be the case that only one is planning on coming to your area at this time.
If no providers have expressed their intention to install at your address, you can express your interest on their sites. Let others around you know they can do the same, and eventually, if the provider notes enough interest in the area, they may be motivated to come and install. Another option is using your neighborhood association to petition the providers on behalf of residents, for example, by arranging a sign-up day, or door-to-door visits, the outcome of which is then sent to the provider to show interest. There has been proven success of this method, with some areas organizing residents on social media to discuss fiber, and adding representatives from fiber providers so that the companies can see the interest.
The installation
The fiber provider will let residents know when they are planning on installing in the area. The process may involve residents not being able to drive vehicles in and out of their driveways during certain hours. This should be communicated by the providers beforehand. Providers are also legally obligated to replace any lifted paving, and it is a good idea to take pictures before installation begins. Remember, this may be a bit of a disruptive process, but it is worth it long-term. Fiber connections also increase property values in the eyes of prospective buyers and tenants.
Installation should not take more than a few hours (the time depends on the complexity, based on factors such as having to lift paving, and how long the fiber runs are). It is a good idea to have multiple people on site at the time, for safety, as gates may be open. Furthermore, it is advisable to ask the installers for identification before giving them access to the property.
The installers will connect fiber optic cable from the gray access point outside the property, run it through conduit, and link it to a CPE box inside the house, at a location of your choice. The CPE box can be seen below. The provider may charge for longer runs of cable, or more complicated installations, such as having to go into the attic to run cable, or replace paving.
Fiber CPE box. A router connects to this box, to provide internet throughout the house.
Vumatel has created an installation process video, which you can watch here.
Getting fiber data from an ISP
If you have fiber access at your property, the next step is to choose an ISP and activate a data package. Recent ISP rankings (according to consumer satisfaction) can be seen below.
Fiber rankings from online South African consumer survey.
It is a good idea to visit the websites of each ISP, and compare speeds, prices, and package terms. Some ISPs, such as Afrihost, shape and throttle speeds on cheaper packages their network, depending on network congestion, and consumer usage statistics. There are providers, such as Cool Ideas, that don’t have such policies, which means you should get your max speeds (or close to max) all the time.
Links to the top 5 ISPs, as per the rankings above, can be found below.
Some fiber infrastructure providers also have sections on their websites where you can compare the prices of ISP data packages on their networks. So, if you already know who has installed infrastructure in your area, this may be an easy method to help with choosing an ISP.
Another helpful website for comparing fiber data providers can be found here.
As many providers offer month-to-month billing, whereby you can give notice and move to a new provider easily, it is inadvisable to sign a contract for a fixed period, such as 12 months. Some providers still offer these, but pricing can often be the same as month-to-month, and the benefit therefore is only on the provider’s side, by locking you into a billable contract.
It should be noted that some providers may offer free routers or waive installation fees, and it is a good idea to look out for these promotions. Some ISPs may require you to pay back the fees if you cancel your package within a certain window, and it is advisable to ask about this before signing up.
It should be possible for you to use your own router and do an installation over the phone, with an agent, if you wish to. Your router, or one you buy at the time of installation, may have better features and offer a greater degree of customization than the one provided by your chosen ISP.
Questions to ask
Below are some questions that are advisable to ask your chosen ISP before activating your account, if you can’t find the info on their website.
- Does this package have month-to-month billing?
- Are there any throttling or shaping policies for this package?
- How long will it take for the package to go live after installation?
- What is the notice period if I want to cancel, and are there any penalties?
- Do you have an online account management system?
- Do you require me to use your router, or can I use my own?
- What is the model number of the router you provide?
- Can I do a self-install over the phone, instead of having a representative come out to my house?
Other internet options if you can’t get fiber yet
If you are still waiting for fiber to come to your area, you have other options, such as signing up with the ISPs mentioned above for an ADSL package, using Telkom’s infrastructure. Some ISPs may offer bundles, where you pay them the Telkom line fee (instead of paying Telkom separately), which makes billing easier, sometimes comes with discounts, and means that the ISP manages line queries on your behalf, saving you from having to contact Telkom directly in the event of a problem.
You can also use a wireless dongle or wireless router, and a SIM card, that you can get from local cellular providers such as Rain, Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, and Telkom Mobile. While speeds in major cities are generally fast, this is an expensive method of getting connected.
Fear not, the fiber roll-out is continuously moving forward, and if you don’t have access to fiber yet, you may soon be able to connect. Until then, happy browsing!
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2], Franck V. [3].
South Africa Begins Massive Coronavirus Testing Drive
Government will in the coming days roll out a large-scale screening, testing, tracing and a medical management programme, to manage the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“We are now entering a new phase in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 10,000 field workers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
The President was addressing the nation, after recently declaring the National State of Disaster to combat the pandemic. His address comes as South Africa went into a nation-wide lockdown for the first time in the history of its democracy on Thursday March 26th, at midnight.
“People with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing. People who are infected with Coronavirus, but who have no or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals,” the president said.
“Using mobile technology, an extensive tracing system will be rapidly deployed to trace those who have been in contact with confirmed Coronavirus cases and to monitor the geographical location of new cases in real time,” the President said.
The number of infections continues to grow as there are now 1,326 confirmed Coronavirus cases in South Africa.
“As a nation, we were deeply saddened to learn that, in the last few days, three South Africans have died from the disease. We convey our sympathies and condolences to their families and friends and to their communities,” the president said.
South Africans urged to stay home
President Ramaphosa reiterated his call to South African to stay at home during the lock-down period.
“Leave your home only if you need to get food and essential provisions, collect a social grant, buy medicine or get urgent medical care.
“The only people who can go to work are health workers, security and emergency personnel, those who work to keep our people supplied with food, medicine and basic goods and other providers of essential services as defined in the regulations,” he said.
The president said people who do go out should do everything they can not to get infected and not to infect anyone else.
“Some people may think this disease is something that doesn’t concern them and will never affect them. That it is something they only read about in newspapers or see reports about on TV.
“But it is very real, and it poses a great danger to every one of us and to our society. Let us not make the mistake of thinking this is somebody else’s problem. Every time you violate the regulations the government has issued or try to get around the rules, you are putting yourself and others at risk, and helping the virus to spread,” the president said.
Reaction to Moody’ decision to downgrade SA
The president noted that the pandemic is happening at a time when the country’s economy is under great strain.
Rating agency Moody’s recently downgraded South Africa to a sub-investment grade.
He assured South Africans that this development will not diminish in any way the country’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We are pushing ahead to implement the necessary health interventions and economic and social measures to contain the spread of the disease and alleviate its effects on our people.
“Within the constraints of the current crisis, we remain committed to implementing structural economic reforms to address weak economic growth, constrained public finances and struggling state-owned enterprises,” the president said.
Government is working together with its social partners to identify further measures that South Africa can take to limit the damage to the economy.
“Even as our country faces deep and pressing challenges on several fronts, there is no doubt in my mind that we will prevail.
“That is because South Africans have come together like never before to wage this struggle against this virus. Many businesses and individuals are making financial and other contributions to this cause,” the President said.
The president thanked the many businesses and individuals who are making financial and other contributions to this cause.
A nation pulling together
In addition to the financial pledges announced last week, the President welcomed the contribution by the Motsepe Foundation of R1 billion and by Naspers of R1.5 billion to the Coronavirus response.
“We are also extremely grateful to Mr Jack Ma, the founder of the China-based company Alibaba, who has donated vital medical supplies to South Africa and other countries across Africa.”
In a moving tribute, president Ramaphosa thanked the nurses, doctors and other health workers, social workers and frontline government staff, volunteers and NGOs who are leading the fight against the disease.
He thanked the 18,000 security personnel, drawn from the police, defence force, metro police and other entities, that are responsible for ensuring our safety.
“And then there is each of you, the 58 million South African citizens and residents who are standing together as one in confronting this national health emergency. Among us are the men and women who rise at dawn every day, and labour through the night to keep this country going.
“I speak of the farmworker who is helping to keep us supplied with food. I speak of the technician in the power station working shift after shift to keep the lights on. I speak of the caregiver in the old-age home, the childcare home and the hospice, who comes in every day to tend to the most vulnerable of our citizens.
“To the taxi driver, the refuse collector, the supermarket cashier, the hospital cleaner, the petrol attendant and all those essential services workers, you are our unsung heroes, and we salute you,” said the president.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Let’s Talk Fiber (Internet) in South Africa; How To Get Connected
Written by Quintin Coetzee
Introduction
In recent years, South Africa has undergone somewhat of an internet infrastructure transformation. From the perspective of residents, this has definitely been for the better.
Up to the point that a handful of local fiber infrastructure providers began laying out their networks across the country, South Africans (especially residential consumers) had to make do with using Telkom’s aging above-ground copper cables to connect to ADSL (or VDSL if you were lucky to have such a DSLAM in your area), or pay through the nose for wireless connectivity, such as 3G, using a dongle. Not an ideal situation by any measure, especially considering the rapid growth of online media consumption, shopping, and communication, that has by no means avoided South African uptake.
Major infrastructure providers
Fortunately, there are now a number of fiber providers installing an ever-expanding network of underground and aerial cables across the country. Some of the major infrastructure providers have been listed below, and you can click through to their websites to find out more information.
These companies compete (something that was not present under Telkom’s monopoly) to install fiber optic cable in suburbs across the country. Consumers (both business and residential) can then choose their preferred ISP to get data from, over the line. Unless your neighborhood association petitions a particular provider on behalf of residents, it’s generally not possible to choose the fiber infrastructure installer, although some areas do have access multiple. These companies choose areas based on perceived uptake, and by extension, profitability. This does not mean that only wealthy areas are getting cable, however, as volumes in areas with lower average household incomes also lead to revenue.
How to see if you have fiber in your area
You may already have fiber in your area, in which case you can skip to the section below about getting connected through an ISP. You can check the perimeter wall of your property for a small box that may be a fiber access point (pictured below), or ask your landlord or body corporate, if applicable.
Fiber connection point on the border of a property.
Below are links to coverage maps or area lists for the respective major providers. You can use these to see if your area already has fiber, or is part of the imminent planned roll-out. It is best to check all providers, as it may be the case that only one is planning on coming to your area at this time.
If no providers have expressed their intention to install at your address, you can express your interest on their sites. Let others around you know they can do the same, and eventually, if the provider notes enough interest in the area, they may be motivated to come and install. Another option is using your neighborhood association to petition the providers on behalf of residents, for example, by arranging a sign-up day, or door-to-door visits, the outcome of which is then sent to the provider to show interest. There has been proven success of this method, with some areas organizing residents on social media to discuss fiber, and adding representatives from fiber providers so that the companies can see the interest.
The installation
The fiber provider will let residents know when they are planning on installing in the area. The process may involve residents not being able to drive vehicles in and out of their driveways during certain hours. This should be communicated by the providers beforehand. Providers are also legally obligated to replace any lifted paving, and it is a good idea to take pictures before installation begins. Remember, this may be a bit of a disruptive process, but it is worth it long-term. Fiber connections also increase property values in the eyes of prospective buyers and tenants.
Installation should not take more than a few hours (the time depends on the complexity, based on factors such as having to lift paving, and how long the fiber runs are). It is a good idea to have multiple people on site at the time, for safety, as gates may be open. Furthermore, it is advisable to ask the installers for identification before giving them access to the property.
The installers will connect fiber optic cable from the gray access point outside the property, run it through conduit, and link it to a CPE box inside the house, at a location of your choice. The CPE box can be seen below. The provider may charge for longer runs of cable, or more complicated installations, such as having to go into the attic to run cable, or replace paving.
Fiber CPE box. A router connects to this box, to provide internet throughout the house.
Vumatel has created an installation process video, which you can watch here.
Getting fiber data from an ISP
If you have fiber access at your property, the next step is to choose an ISP and activate a data package. Recent ISP rankings (according to consumer satisfaction) can be seen below.
Fiber rankings from online South African consumer survey.
It is a good idea to visit the websites of each ISP, and compare speeds, prices, and package terms. Some ISPs, such as Afrihost, shape and throttle speeds on cheaper packages their network, depending on network congestion, and consumer usage statistics. There are providers, such as Cool Ideas, that don’t have such policies, which means you should get your max speeds (or close to max) all the time.
Links to the top 5 ISPs, as per the rankings above, can be found below.
Some fiber infrastructure providers also have sections on their websites where you can compare the prices of ISP data packages on their networks. So, if you already know who has installed infrastructure in your area, this may be an easy method to help with choosing an ISP.
Another helpful website for comparing fiber data providers can be found here.
As many providers offer month-to-month billing, whereby you can give notice and move to a new provider easily, it is inadvisable to sign a contract for a fixed period, such as 12 months. Some providers still offer these, but pricing can often be the same as month-to-month, and the benefit therefore is only on the provider’s side, by locking you into a billable contract.
It should be noted that some providers may offer free routers or waive installation fees, and it is a good idea to look out for these promotions. Some ISPs may require you to pay back the fees if you cancel your package within a certain window, and it is advisable to ask about this before signing up.
It should be possible for you to use your own router and do an installation over the phone, with an agent, if you wish to. Your router, or one you buy at the time of installation, may have better features and offer a greater degree of customization than the one provided by your chosen ISP.
Questions to ask
Below are some questions that are advisable to ask your chosen ISP before activating your account, if you can’t find the info on their website.
Other internet options if you can’t get fiber yet
If you are still waiting for fiber to come to your area, you have other options, such as signing up with the ISPs mentioned above for an ADSL package, using Telkom’s infrastructure. Some ISPs may offer bundles, where you pay them the Telkom line fee (instead of paying Telkom separately), which makes billing easier, sometimes comes with discounts, and means that the ISP manages line queries on your behalf, saving you from having to contact Telkom directly in the event of a problem.
You can also use a wireless dongle or wireless router, and a SIM card, that you can get from local cellular providers such as Rain, Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, and Telkom Mobile. While speeds in major cities are generally fast, this is an expensive method of getting connected.
Fear not, the fiber roll-out is continuously moving forward, and if you don’t have access to fiber yet, you may soon be able to connect. Until then, happy browsing!
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2], Franck V. [3].
Nigerian Immigration Law in 2020: Our Interview with Bloomfield Law’s Adekunle Obebe
Our Immigration Lead, Lynn Mackenzie, recently had the privilege of sitting down with Bloomfield Law’s Managing Partner, Adekunle Obebe, at our head office in Cape Town, to chat about the Nigerian immigration law landscape, and what to expect for the remainder of 2020.
Feel free to click below to listen to the recording of the interview, and use the topic markers in this article to skip to sections of interest to you.
To find out more about Adekunle, click here, and for information about Bloomfield Law, click here. For information about Relocation Africa’s range of Immigration services, visit our website here.
Topic markers
Again, we’d like to say a huge thank you to Kunle for his insights. We hope you find this interview of interest.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
African COVID-19 Updates
At Relocation Africa, we receive updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic from a number of our business partners, as well as track information online ourselves.
Below, we have compiled a number of country-specific statements we have issued over the past few weeks relating to the coronavirus’ impact. These include information about government interventions, lock-downs, and impacts on immigration.
Please note these are ever-evolving issues, and for the most up-to-date information, we recommend you contact your local government or embassy directly.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].