The City of Johannesburg has started rolling out the first phase of its Smart City project, which will see it become a digital city by 2010, says Virgil James, the city`s spokesperson.
"A digital city is a connected community that combines broadband communications and service-oriented computing infrastructure to meet the needs of citizens, employees and businesses.
"Preparatory work is under way for the next phase that should see the city providing great value for its citizens. The Johannesburg Road Agency and City Power, agencies of the city`s municipalities, have already laid down fibre optic cables to the greater metro region," says James.
"The city is not starting from scratch, but this is a project that needs private sector participation in order for it to have the intended impact," he adds.
James explains it is difficult to detail the amounts spent as fibre cabling has been gradually taking place to keep up with new technological developments, as well as to service other projects.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the City of Cape Town is considering a plan to roll-out fibre optic cable throughout its municipal area to make it Africa`s first wireless city.
"The digital city phenomenon is entirely driven by the cities themselves; local government is realising the benefits of broadband to cities," says Denis Smit, MD of BMI-TechKnowledge.
"The digital city phenomenon is sweeping the world and will become a major new dynamic on the African continent. Cities will, however, require strong private sector partners to succeed," notes Smit.
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