How do I get a project status update?

Our Frogfoot coverage map is kept up to date with estimated go-live dates to keep you informed. Note that your Internet Service Provider is always your first point of contact regarding order and installation updates. We will keep them informed of all dates and information in order to assist you as their customer.

Will my sidewalk/verge be butchered when new cable tranches are installed?

Any fibre operator has to comply with the City of Cape Town regulations and standards. Our contractors will take every precaution to complete installations with the least disruption to residents and we endeavour to reinstate the driveways and sidewalks to their original condition.

What is Microtrenching?

Microtrenching uses a machine the size of small car to cut a slot in the road surface ensuring that installing Fibre no longer involves days of trenching, burying pipes, and then backfilling and reinstating the pavement back to its original state. Depending on the type of road and the depth of existing services – like electrical power and water – this ‘micro trench’ can be 20mm to 60mm wide and 300mm to 500mm deep, usually near the edge of the roadway. The machine has a blade in front (much like a giant angle grinder) that cuts into the road surface.

Depending on the terrain and the experience of the team, a four-man team and a machine can conceivably complete between 200m and 400m of trench per day.

Note that only select suburbs allow microtrenching.

How is Fibre deployed?

1. Planning and wayleave approval

Once we have selected an area to approach for Fibre, we will apply for wayleaves to build in the suburb. We will submit the required documents and plans that detail the planned routes for the build and this is sent to various council departments.

2. Trenching

Once the approvals and permits have been issued, our teams will start the build. This entails trenching along the sidewalk on public property and laying duct and placing manholes. We then ensure that we close up the trenches, keeping the public area safe for residents.

3. Reinstatement

We have various teams that follow the trenching team to reinstate and return the sidewalks and verges to their original state. They will relay new tar and fix paving in the line created by the trenches as indicated and approved by council. Plants and grass will be replaced and replanted based on its original state. Photos are taken of each verge before the work is conducted to ensure that we reinstate correctly. If there are any issues after our reinstatement turnaround time of 4 weeks, please email FTTH@frogfoot.com with your details and the team will be happy to assist.

4. Laying Fibre

Once all ducts have been laid correctly and the area has been reinstated to its original state, we will proceed with blowing Fibre. We open up the manholes and use high pressure air to push the Fibre through the empty ducts. We are then able to connect the strands of Fibre by joining two sections of Fibre to each other.