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Fin24 users have called on Cell C and other players to launch fibre broadband offerings in more areas.
Cell C on Monday launched its fibre service which is dubbed ‘C-Fibre’ in partnership with existing independent fibre broadband player Vumatel. Vumatel launched in 2014 when it connected upmarket Johannesburg suburb Parkhurst. Since then, Vumatel has embarked on rolling out fibre broadband to other Johannesburg areas like Hurlingham, Glenadrienne, Hyde Park, Northcliff, Sharonlea and Olivedale.
Cell C, in its statement, said that it is also in discussions with other fibre providers across the country.Pricing for the fibre products range from a 20 Mbps offering at R899 per month, 50Mbps at R1 149 per month, and 100Mbps offering at R1 499 per month.
READ: Cell C enters SA's fibre broadband race
In light of this announcement, Fin24 asked users if they would consider taking up Cell C’s fibre offerings and here is what they had to say.
Fin24 user Leon wrote:
“Yes, but unfortunately all fibre providers are only concentrating on the affluent areas and not at the man in the suburbs, disappointing!”
Fin24 user Angelo Hendricks said:
“No…too expensive. These providers are using internet access as money making tool whereas it should be used as a tool to free up and stimulate economic growth.”
Meanwhile, Fin24 user Johan wrote that he would take up Cell C’s offer:“Yes. Telkom ADSL is extremely unreliable and expensive. For the same price I would only get 8Mbps line uncapped from telkom.”
Fin24 user Richard has also explained why he would take up Cell C’s offer:
“Damn right I'd use them. In my area I'm limited by the current infrastructure as provided and despite efforts by my ISP to assist I've had to downgrade my line speed just to have some connectivity. It’ been an ongoing nightmare for the past 2 years. The only other alternative is an uncapped LTE service from the same company providing the problematic last-mile connectivity but again while my suburb is within their coverage area, I'm not within the promotional area and as a result all my requests for a price/quote irrespective of promotion has been ignored. If Cell C via Vumatel is able to provide a FTTH solution I will not hesitate to sign up!”
Fin24 user Theo has also expressed his support of Cell C’s move:
I would take them up in a heartbeat if they came to Bedfordview. I lived overseas for several years and 20Mbps was the entry level internet, and what a pleasure to use it. Using 4Mbps (fastest available in my area if Bedfordview) has been like selling your car and buying an ox waggon. It’s better than nothing but nowhere close to what it should be.
Fin24 user Saliem wrote:“I would definitely take up their offer. Thus far they have proved to be the only service provider bent on giving value for money and service. However, their roll-out plans need to be aggressively advertised to raise awareness on which areas will be rolled out and when. A structured roll-out timetable. That would instill confidence in us, the potential customer that fibre is a near reality rather than pie in the sky. We've been hearing about this since 2010 World Cup.”
Finally, Fin24 user Ivan said more areas in SA need fibre access:
“If they didn't only cover the elite upper class areas, yes, I would use their fibre services in a heartbeat. However, Springs (outside Johannesburg) seems to be the last place that tech companies want to look at, even though all of our ADSL exchanges are over-subscribed. People want the service, but there is just no tech company interested in us.”
