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National fibre network makes headway

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 14 Sept 2012

SA's largest open access fibre-optic network is making steady progress, with 600km of its first 1 000km link now complete.

FibreCo - a joint venture between Cell C, Internet Solutions and Convergence Partners - says construction of the broadband network's first link, between Johannesburg and East London, via Bloemfontein, has passed the halfway mark.

According to FibreCo, the national fibre-optic network - a R5 billion project - will significantly increase the supply of long distance capacity between major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, as well as towns and rural areas along the route and the undersea cable landing stations on the East and West coast of SA.

“This long distance capacity is a critical enabler in the delivery of more affordable, high-speed and reliable Internet services to ordinary South Africans.”

Ultimately, the trio's aim is to build a 12 000km open access long-haul nationwide fibre-optic network, which will link all major cities and towns across SA.

Arif Hussain, FibreCo CEO, says the 600km mark is a significant milestone for the company, and a good indication that the construction process is on track. “Although we are fully aware that there is still a lot of work ahead, we remain confident that we will overcome the challenges ahead.”

Hussain says services are expected to be on offer on selected routes from early next year.

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