With reference to the letter, Residents had no say at all, I would like to answer the author of the letter, Johannes Lombaard.
First and foremost, this meeting was introductory. Its aim was to start the process of informing residents of Roodepoort that Vumatel has the intention of bringing fibre to the suburb.
Vumatel builds in partnership with the community and therefore the aim is to have regular community engagements like these to ensure that the community is well informed, kept up to date and have the opportunity to raise concerns and objections. We would strongly advise residents to ‘show their interest’ in bringing fibre to Roodepoort on our website because this will add them to a mailing list we will use to provide regular updates, construction information and contact points.
Any infrastructure provider has to apply to the council for wayleaves (permission to roll out infrastructure on the sidewalks in the suburbs). Receiving wayleaves from the council in no way gives us a monopoly in the area. Any provider can apply for wayleaves and all providers are issued with wayleaves on equal terms. Other fibre providers still have every right to install in your area regardless of whether we install it or not.
The report you refer to can be read here: https://mybroadband.co.za/…/214662-whyvumatel-charges and refers to common practice in the industry, which in no way disadvantages the end-user. Vumatel bills the service provider for this cost and not the customer.
Our Hello Peter rating is low; but we have found that no one goes to Hello Peter to give compliments. We address every single issue raised with us on Hello Peter, and any other platform, individually, with care and to its completion. We also have thousands of happy customers who do not take to platforms like Hello Peter because they have no need to.
We certainly do not want you to feel bulldozed. We would simply like to bring first-world infrastructure to your suburb.
We firmly believe in building relationships with the community and its residents. We also believe that accurate information is crucial to the community’s understanding of the project. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss any of this further. You can contact us via newareas@vumatel.co.za or social@vumatel.co.za.
