Home Connect in combination with OpenServe is a bust

Home-Connect Fiber in combination with Frogfoot is a winner. With OpenServe, not so much.

Here are a few things I've learned when using Home-Connect/OpenServe:

1. On top of your monthly internet, budget for the following: 1.1 -15 to 60 minutes per week to phone home connect (This includes time and airtime) 1.2 -10 to 15% of your monthly data usage will need to come from another service, for example, Rain. 1.3 You'll only get ~25-30% of your actual speed. In my case, a 100/50 line will give you ~20/25. During the call with Home Connect, they are able to increase it to 50/50, but it doesn't last long.

2. Home-Connect will only be able to assist you from 08:00. Even then your call might be disconnected. 08:30 seems to be the sweet spot. Plan accordingly.

3. Anything you are not able to fix during the call, won't be fixed. There might be promises of calling you back later. Don't believe it.

4. The service tickets don't work. I've created a few over the past few months. None have been actioned. If you need assistance, calling Support is the only way.

5. Home Connect will create a service ticket at OpenServe on your behalf. This will take time. I've been waiting a few months, fingers crossed it will be fixed soon.

6. If you are working from home and you have an important meeting, use the alternative internet source, especially at night. The disconnections are sporadic but do seem to occur more often at night.

7. The staff are always friendly and helpful which is a massive bonus, when you're at the end of your tether, don't take it out on them.

8. Through OpenServe you'll need to connect through a VPN, so even though your router and ONT displays that you are "connected", you're not. The service needs to be tweaked or refreshed, by Home-Connect. This takes seconds to fix. However if this problem happens at 21:00 in the evening, you are without internet until the next day 08:30. Hence the alternative source.