🐰 Get your Vumatel Fibre line installed #

We’ve put together this guide to make your Vumatel Fibre installation process as smooth as possible.

This guide includes a lot of information, with some important things for you to do, and think about. We feel that you should rather have too much info than too little at this point. Please make sure to read the points at the end.

⚙️ Routers and settings #

You can also use your own router and configure it yourself – just make sure it is set to DHCP/Dynamic IP. We have most router settings on this page of our website: https://www.atomic.co.za/sdocs/router-settings/.

If you ordered a router from Atomic, we’ll configure it and arrange to deliver it to you via courier.

🔋 Power for devices #

You will need two 2-point power plug points:

• One is for the ONT or CPE device that Vumatel will install (equivalent to a fibre modem).
• The other is for your WiFi router.
• You can also power the ONT/CPE and router with a 12V DC-UPs.

👷‍♂️ The Install #

• The fibre installation is something the Fibre Network Operator (FNO), Vumatel, handles (not Atomic).
• While the FNOs do many of the installs themselves, they also contract some of the work out to third-party contractors.
• You can ask for identification if you want to be sure the team that arrives is from the fibre company.
• Vumatel will sometimes send a PDF explaining the details about your installation.
• Your responsibilities:
  • An adult needs to be at home to instruct the installers and also sign for approval.
  • Scheduling of the installation date – remember, billing starts from the day after the line is activated.
  • Placement of the Fibre ONT/CPE is important (ask us for help if you need assistance in choosing a good spot). Moving your ONT/CPE will incur a reinstallation fee.
  • You will be responsible for moving any furniture, wall hangings or ornaments that may be in the way of their chosen cabling route.
  • It’s worth noting that the teams coming into your home are doing so for the first time, so it is your responsibility to point out hazards and areas you don’t want them to run fibre and also secure any valuable/fragile items.
  • Depending on your installation difficulty, they will likely be drilling into/through walls, and this means you will need to advise if there are any water mains pipes, electric cables or other hazards where the drilling will take place.
  • Where fibre can be easily damaged (for example, by pets), it must be placed in a conduit. Additional conduit required above the included length (outlined below) can be arranged and will be quoted by the installation team.
• What’s included in the standard Vumatel Fibre installation:
  • The installation team will communicate any additional costs. The Vumatel team member or 3rd party contractor will quote you directly if any additional costs are required.
  • Up to 75m of fibre cable from the connection point (Wallbox, MODB or joint) to the CPE/ONT.
  • Up to 30m of white conduit, including couplings and saddle clamps.
  • Up to 30m of trenching at 150mm to 300mm depth in soft soil (excluding paving, tiles, and tar).
  • Up to 5m of trenching at 150mm to 300mm depth of paving, grass, or tar (excluding tiles). Should further trenching be required, it will be at an additional cost per meter, with the customer liable for reinstatement of the paving, tiles, or tar.
  • You will have up to 3 months from the installation date to log an installation quality complaint with Vumatel or through Atomic, should you find fault with the installation. If you have an installation problem and fail to notify Vumatel or Atomic within the 3-month warranty period, you may be liable for the cost of a re-installation.
• What’s not included:
  • 2-point power adapter (and lead if required) for the CPE/ONT power source.
  • Trunking.
  • Painting.
• If you have existing conduits you would like to use, they need to be in an excellent state of repair, with no gaps or holes and have a drawstring to pull the fibre cable through. If your conduit is damaged or does not have a drawstring, it cannot be used.
• If your fibre cabling needs to run outdoors or through a garden, the technicians will usually install (PVC) pipes to protect and route the cable. Make sure they are deep enough or in a location where they are not likely to get damaged by future garden work.
• NB: If you have any issues with the installation taking place, please raise this with the installation team during the installation (if possible), as they are most likely able to deal with your issues then (and to get them to come back in a timely manner can be a challenge).

🎯 Tips and tricks #

• Choose Your Router Location Wisely: Install it near a power outlet, where it’s easy to view the status lights on your fibre box and router.
• Plan Your Cabling Route: Clearly communicate where you want cables to run and boxes mounted on your walls. Specify your aesthetic preferences, including whether you want any components concealed. Be precise, as cables and boxes are fixed once installed.
• Special Requests Require Advance Planning: Standard installations are designed to be completed in under two hours. If you have unique requirements, discuss them with us beforehand, as they may fall outside the scope of a typical installation.

📸 Installation Examples #

Below are examples of completed Vumatel installations. Vumatel will install an ONT or CPE depending on the fibre technology in your area. An ONT is for GPON, and a CPE is for Active Ethernet. The ONT/CPE and your WiFi router will require two available power plugs and must be close to each other. You can also power the ONT and router with a 12V DC-UPS.

🚦 Going live after installation #

• In most cases, the fibre network will make the line live 1-2 hours after installation.
• If it’s a pre-live area, it can take a few days do go live.
• You will receive an email and SMS the moment your fibre service is activated.

⚠️ Key points #

• Please ensure you are at home during the installation. An adult needs to be at home to instruct the installers and also sign for completion.
• You will need two free 2-point power plugs or 12V DC-UPS power near the fibre box location.
• Place the fibre box (ONT/CPE) in an area where you can easily access it to reboot it.
• Do NOT hide your WiFi router in a cupboard. If you need an ‘aesthetically pleasing’ router, we can suggest a few models with different designs.
• Ask the installation team to show you your signal level on the fibre signal meter. A range between -18 and -26 is healthy. -27 and lower can cause problems. If you have a gigabit service you want -25 or better.
• Once you sign the fibre network job completion form, there will be extra costs to get a team out again, so make sure you are happy with the work before they leave.
• The fibre equipment remains the property of the fibre network. Damage or loss will result in replacement costs.
• Billing starts once your service is live. You will get your invoice via email at the end of your first month. Any partial month will be billed pro-rata from the day after you are activated.

📼 Vumatel Installation Guide Video #