Fibre warning for complexes and estates

South African residential estates with fibre installations that don't allow for multiple Internet service providers (ISPs) are doing their residents an injustice by limiting competition and their ability to find the best deal.

This is according to the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) chair, Sasha Booth-Beharilal, who said the first prize is having competition at the fibre infrastrucuture level. This allows for non-exclusive fibre connectivity.

"More than one fibre provider is ideal. At the very least, homeowners' associations, body corporates and property developers should reject any potential fibre installation that does not allow for multiple ISPs to compete at the customer-facing level," she said.

The ability for customers to choose which ISP they buy Internet access from has been a key requirement since 2016, when the government outlined it as a critical requirement of the National integrated ICT Policy White Paper.

However, ISPA is pushing for open access fibre installations, which it has called for several times in the past.

"When estate managers, body corporates and others make promises with regards to choosing open access providers, these assurances must be reduced to writing and clauses to this effect must always be inserted in any written agreements with planned fibre providers," said Booth-Beharilal.

"Open access commitments must be kept on body corporate meeting agendas and residents must scrutinise fibre rollout agreements within communities before trenching begins."

"In ISPA's view, closed networks - or entering into an exclusive arrangement with one provider - are contrary to the ideal of a level internet services playing field that values innovation and competition," she added.

ISPA said high-speed fibre connectivity enables remote working, home automation, and technologically advanced security systems, while the Digital Council Africa says fibre can increase a property's value.

It said open access remains one of its guiding principles as it allows for fair competition, which provides choice in quality, affordable communications for South African consumers.