A new internet service provider has joined the Ugandan market. Officially launched on 21 July 2024 by Group Vivendi Africa (GVA Uganda), Canalbox Fiber is quickly becoming a household name for delivering the best optic fibre internet in Uganda, largely through word of mouth. Having gathered numerous reviews from current users and eager to experience the service firsthand, I decided to try Canalbox myself to write a thorough and insightful review of this unlimited internet provider.
How to get CanalBox Internet?
Getting Canalbox is quite simple. If you’re a resident in areas of Kira, for instance, and have noticed small signs on cable poles, it’s likely that agents wearing Canalbox-branded t-shirts have visited your neighbourhood or will soon be at your doorstep. Alternatively, you can contact them through their official channels.
In my case, an agent visited my home, and the process was straightforward. They required my name, phone number, email, and a payment of UGX 130,000, processed via Airtel/MTN Pay to Group Vivendi Africa Uganda LTD. In return, I received a Canalbox router, a receipt, and both a confirmation email and SMS containing the Canalbox customer area login username and password for re-subscription and assistance. Soon after, I was contacted to schedule an installation within 24 hours.
Canalbox Installation Process
The installation itself took less than an hour. The installer ran a cable from the pole to my house and connected it to the router, providing immediate internet access.
Is Canalbox Internet Good?
Yes, Canalbox offers reliable service, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking fast and stable home internet. So far, it delivers the speeds advertised, though this could change over time, as we’ve seen with other service providers. But for now, it’s a solid choice.
Canalbox Speed and Pricing
Compared to MTN, Airtel, and other internet service providers, Canalbox offers competitive pricing. They have two unlimited internet packages: UGX 110,000 per month for 50Mbps and UGX 200,000 per month for 200Mbps, excluding a one-time fee of UGX 20,000 for the router and installation. The Wi-Fi can support up to 15 devices, and four devices can connect via LAN cable, all at the same dedicated speed.
Potential Issues with Canalbox
In terms of service, Canalbox is punctual—installers arrive on time unless delayed by events like rain. In my experience, however, their communication channels could improve. It took almost 24 hours to get a response after I contacted them through their official call line and social media. That said, I was assured this issue is being addressed.
One important note: the UGX 110,000 package offers 50Mbps download speeds but only 10Mbps for uploads. While this may seem limiting, it works well for most activities like browsing, streaming, and video calling which rely more on download speed.
Most importantly, Canalbox’s 50Mbps truly feels like 50Mbps, unlike some other providers in Uganda who often fail to deliver the advertised speeds.
Additional Tip
Since Canalbox is fibre optic and connects to a router, any power outage will cut off your internet connection. I recommend connecting the router to a power bank, like the one that comes with the Red Telecom Company’s Smart Box, to stay online during blackouts. It would be ideal if all routers come with built-in backup power—more like a MIFI.
Canalbox Unlimited Fiber Internet review summary
In conclusion, based on my experience, I can confidently say that Canalbox is a strong contender for home and office internet. It delivers good internet speeds as advertised, and the installation process is smooth and hassle-free. My review is entirely unbiased, based solely on my personal experience with the service.
