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Why estate and complex residents could finally get real fibre choice
Why South African estates could soon get real fibre choice
For years, many South Africans living in estates and townhouse complexes have shared the same frustration. You move in, you ask about fibre, and you are told there is only one option. No choice of Internet service provider, no price competition, no flexibility. Just take it or leave it.
That may finally be changing.
A combination of pressure from industry bodies, complaints from residents, and a recent High Court ruling has opened the door to better fibre competition at estates and complexes across the country. And if you live in Johannesburg or are part of a body corporate or homeowners association, this matters more than you might think.
The problem with closed fibre networks
The Internet Service Providers’ Association has been warning about fibre monopolies at estates since mid-2024. Their concern is simple. When one fibre network operator or ISP locks down an estate, residents lose out.
Prices tend to be higher. Service quality can stagnate. And innovation takes a back seat because there is no real competition.
ISPA has long argued that the best outcome is competition at the infrastructure level, not just at the retail ISP level. In plain terms, multiple fibre operators should be able to use the same physical infrastructure, giving residents genuine choice.
A court ruling that changes the balance of power
A recent High Court ruling has added serious weight to that argument.
The case involved Octotel and Telkom and centred on who actually controls fibre infrastructure inside residential complexes. Telkom argued that it controlled the infrastructure installed years ago, even though developers paid for it and homeowner associations maintained it.
ICASA sided with Telkom, ruling that Octotel had unlawfully used that infrastructure to compete, despite having permission from the estates’ homeowners’ associations.
The High Court disagreed.
The court found that because developers paid for the infrastructure and HOAs carry the cost of maintaining it, the infrastructure belongs to the homeowner associations. That means HOAs have both ownership and control, including the right to allow other fibre network operators to use it.
For estates, this is a big shift. It means HOAs are not powerless. They can actively choose open-access fibre models that allow multiple providers to compete.
ISPA believes the ruling will make it easier to reuse existing infrastructure efficiently, instead of digging up complexes again, while giving residents better options. The matter may still head to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2026, but the direction is clear.
The Competition Commission steps in
While the legal side unfolds, regulators are also getting involved.
After ISPA raised the alarm publicly, the Competition Commission encouraged residents stuck with exclusive fibre arrangements to lodge complaints. By January 2025, the Commission had already received six complaints within just three months.
Those cases are currently under investigation, and the outcomes have not yet been made public. Still, the fact that the Commission is actively looking into estate-level fibre monopolies sends a strong message.
Exclusive arrangements that limit consumer choice are firmly on the radar.
Why this matters for Joburg residents
In Johannesburg, where estates and gated complexes are a major part of urban living, fibre access is no longer a luxury. It is essential for work, schooling, entertainment, and even security systems.
Open access fibre means residents can shop around, switch providers if service drops, and benefit from competitive pricing. It also gives smaller ISPs a chance to compete on service and innovation, not just marketing muscle.
ISPA has been clear in its advice. HOAs, body corporates, and developers should reject fibre installations that lock residents into a single provider. South Africa’s ICT policy has supported ISP choice since 2016, and industry bodies want that principle enforced where people actually live.
The bigger picture
This is not just about faster downloads or cheaper packages. It is about fairness and future-proofing residential infrastructure.
As remote work becomes the norm and digital access shapes daily life, estates that embrace open access fibre are likely to be more attractive to buyers and tenants. Those who cling to closed networks may find themselves falling behind.
For now, the message to residents is simple. Ask questions. Push back against exclusivity. And remember that your homeowners’ association may have more power than you think.
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Source: MyBroadband
Featured Image: BusinessTech
