Dear Resident

 

In the connected world we live and work in, it is important to understand the ecosystem of role players providing connectivity services on the Estate. We have experienced various challenges of late and would like to explain the technology, role players, dependencies, and impact.

THE FIBRE NETWORK – OWNER AND OPERATOR

Catoptrix owns the Val de Vie Estate fibre network. Catoptrix appointed Huge TNS as the Fibre Network Operator (FNO). Huge TNS provides the “roadway” for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deliver connectivity services to their customers.

WHAT IS AN OPEN ACCESS NETWORK

An Open Access Network (OAN) is the backbone network multiple ISPs can connect to without deploying an entirely new fibre access network. The ISPs link to the FNO, Huge TNS, and from there, provide connectivity services to their customers across the Estate.

The OAN has two dedicated fibre lines servicing the Estate from opposite sides. This means that should one line go down; there is a backup line in place. These lines terminate in a Data/Distribution Centre (DC) at The Yard, and it will continue to operate regardless of loadshedding due to UPS and generator backup. From here, the ISPs provide Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connectivity.

ISPs need backhaul to connect different customer locations to their more extensive internet infrastructure. Backhaul links the end customers’ residential or enterprise networks to the ISP’s core network, enabling high-speed connectivity and internet access. Simply put, we can’t access the internet without it.

Following a high-level meeting with Huge TNS, we can confirm that all residents across the Estate have access to this OAN and its linked ISPs. As a resident, you need to decide on an ISP that meets your needs and provides a good network with backup capability, market-related rates, and quality customer support.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU

The following Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are connected to the Huge TNS OAN. If you receive any information to the contrary, please share it with the HOA at hoa@valdevie.co.za with the subject line ISP, as no ISP has exclusivity in any neighbourhood.

ISPs not on the Open Access Network

The below ISPs and their partners use their own fibre line from the Estate out and will, therefore, not have access to the OAN links, meaning their customers do not benefit from two levels of redundancy/backup. This means they cannot provide connectivity services to their customers if their line goes down.

THE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

OPEN ACCESS NETWORK (OAN) PRINCIPLES

A. A world-class quality network at market-related prices.

B. 3rd party ownership – Huge TNS was appointed as the FNO by Catoptrix, the fibre network owner, at market-related terms.

C. Val de Vie HOA’s oversight role in terms of the Huge TNS as FNO’s performance and upholding of the principles per point A above.

 

D. The FTTH network at Val de Vie Estate is unique as multiple dedicated backhaul fibre lines are installed into the Estate using separate routes and providers. The network can’t be compared to smaller developments using a single fibre link or backup via wireless.

 

E. Huge TNS operates as the FNO and is appointed by a 3rd party fibre owner to light up the fibre network and manage the network quality, installations, activations, and general uptime. This includes providing an ordering platform, a service desk for customers and ISPs, and monthly reports provided by the platform. Huge TNS regularly provides recommendations on improvements that would improve uptime, service levels, and ease of troubleshooting.

CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES

Connectivity challenges can arise from outside and/or inside the Estate. Internet connectivity will only be available if a fibre connection outside the Estate is damaged if the ISP has fibre backup and redundancy measures in place.

In the event of loadshedding, the internal DC at The Yard is powered by UPS back-up and a generator. Should an ISP not have its own UPS and generator backup, the service will go down if the Sports and Leisure Centre generator fails, as it did. The generator is in place to ensure the Sports and Leisure Centre facilities can operate during loadshedding and was never meant to be a primary power source. Loadshedding and other factors can also cause external backhaul connectivity failures. For example – a node outside the Estate can experience failures due to loadshedding or physical damage to cables. We also need to be aware of the road infrastructure upgrade in the area. It presents a risk of possible fibre breakages.

To further improve service delivery, the HOA is affording the ISPs not currently on the OAN the opportunity to be relocated to The Yard DC in due course. This DC’s redundancy level includes emergency fire suppression, UPS, and generator power.

RECENT CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES

An unfortunate scenario occurred where one of the backhaul links was down due to a network fault. While Huge TNS was resolving the fault with the supplier, a loss of electricity caused the second link to go down due to the electrical outage. Emergency measures were implemented to install an additional inverter and battery backup to keep the core equipment for Huge TNS up during loadshedding. Additionally, standby engineers actively monitored the status of core equipment during the loadshedding.

ISPs using their own backhaul connectivity through a single link only were affected during this time because their onsite equipment was not connected to a backup electricity source that could keep their equipment online. Huge TNS engaged with these providers to assist with implementing an additional backup electricity source. Huge TNS engaged with ISPs to use the multiple backhaul solutions available. Discussions and migration plans are being discussed as a matter of urgency.

In addition to the above, Huge TNS has been preparing for the process of moving all equipment to a central location instead of three separate locations to manage the fibre network better. Preparations on the DCs have already commenced. Additional fibre infrastructure will be needed to ensure future reliability and minimal disruption during this change. Contractors are currently planning the routes and infrastructure necessary to accommodate this change.

We trust this article clarifies the questions around connectivity on the Estate.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the HOA at hoa@valdevie.co.za

Best regards

The HOA