Is there fibre broadband in my area?
South Africa’s fibre network is growing fast and if this service is not yet available in your area, then it won’t be long before you can have access to your own connection. This is good news because fibre is affordable, fast, and extremely reliable. And if you haven’t yet brushed up on why it’s becoming one of the best internet connection alternatives, then you're in the right place. Here, we’ll get you up to speed on how fibre broadband works and why it’s causing such a fuss. We’ll also help you to determine if the cables have been installed in your region so that you can find a fibre-optic deal that’s going to work for you.
In This Guide:
- 1. What is fibre and how does it work?
- What are the advantages of having fibre coverage?
- Which regions of South Africa have access to fibre?
- How do I apply for fibre in my area?
- How do I find the best fibre deals in my area?
1. What is fibre and how does it work?
Often referred to as the “future of the internet”, fibre broadband has exceeded user expectations and is fast becoming the most efficient way of connecting to the online world.
Instead of using traditional copper wires to work, fibre relies on fibre-optic tubes to transfer high-speed data over greater distances. The data is sent via flashes of light through the “fibres”, which then rebound off the inner walls to move along the cable. Because the data is travelling at the speed of light (literally), the result is exceptionally fast broadband speeds.
What are the advantages of having fibre coverage?
Apart from providing very fast download and upload speeds, fibre also has many other advantages. For example:
- It’s Reliable. Fibre lines are stronger than copper lines and as such, they’re more resistant to external interferences.
- It’s immune to electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. This means that efficiency is not easily compromised.
- The signal strength doesn’t degrade as quickly. Unlike copper cables where the signal degrades the further you move away from the switch; fibre tubes maintain signals over greater distances.
- The bandwidth availability is significantly higher. This means that more users can use one connection at the same time without affecting the download speed.
Of course, like most services, fibre also comes with a list of disadvantages. However, these are far and few between. As it stands, the biggest disadvantage of fibre is that it is not yet readily available to all areas in South Africa.
Which brings us to our next point.
Which regions of South Africa have access to fibre?
Installing fibre has proven to be a costly task and for this reason, most providers have opted for a phased approach. The first phase has been to lay the fibre lines in city centres and in more affluent areas, where consumers can afford the service. As more homes and businesses install fibre, the cheaper the service will become. This will lead to the next phase, where more rural communities will be able to access fast broadband fibre.
How do I know if there is fibre in my area?
If your address falls within one of the main suburbs of Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town, there's a good chance that your area already has access to a fibre network. If the cables have not yet been laid, then it won’t be too long until they are installed. The fibre coverage network is growing daily, and ISPs are doing everything they can to give all areas access.
How can I see if there are fibre lines in my neighbourhood?
You can use our broadband availability checker to see if fibre is available to your neighbourhood. All you need to do is enter your address or suburb into the search tool and our system will automatically check to see if fibre is available to your region.
How do I apply for fibre in my area?
Once you are certain that fibre is available in your area, subscribing to a fibre internet plan is easy. Whether you are signing up for an internet connection for the first time or have decided to make an ISP switch; the admin is minimal and the process is hassle-free.
Once you have browsed and compared the various internet deals available to your area, you can simply sign up with the chosen provider. This ISP will action the changeover or they will add you as a new broadband user.
Once your contract has been signed, your ISP will come and install a fibre line in your home (if there isn’t already one). Your supplier will set you up with the necessary hardware too - and once plugged in, they’ll connect you to the internet. It’s a breeze, really.
How do I find the best fibre deals in my area?
Even though fibre is a little more costly than its alternatives, it’s possible that you will still find a cheap internet deal that suits your budget and your needs. It’s all about shopping for the right plan.
To easily compare quotes, you can make use of our free online quote comparison tool. Simply fill in your details, and we’ll supply you with a list of efficient fibre suppliers who cater to your area.
When scrutinising deals, remember to compare how much download speed you’ll be getting for the price on offer. You’ll also want to see if the price includes a capped or uncapped connection. With a capped connection, you may have to purchase additional data if you reach your cap before the month is over (so, factor this into your calculations).