Telecommunications provider Broadlink is well on its way with its upgraded network expansion project and over 40 new live sites have already gone live across SA.
To complement its existing radio network, Broadlink has introduced a last mile fibre access network, which will provide national coverage in Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town. Its new network is expanding capabilities and product performance in Gauteng areas such as Sandton, Midrand and Pretoria.
Broadlink provides connectivity solutions to the South African business and Internet service provider markets. These include fixed and wireless last mile, broadband, Internet access and voice solutions, and utilise its own carrier-grade network.
The company, a subsidiary of WBS Holdings, recently acquired by Multisource, says adding fibre solutions was a natural extension of its services, and a response to growing demand in the business market for fibre-based Internet access.
Mike Brown, CEO of Broadlink, says this new approach will enable the firm to increase its client base on either radio or fibre solutions, using what is already a proven telecoms network. It anticipates demand for its fibre solutions from existing customers and the greater business market.
"Our fibre strategy will help strengthen the company's overall connectivity portfolio as we strive to offer clients increased connectivity speeds and capacities," he explains.
Brown believes it makes sense to diversify into fibre as the group already makes use of 8 000km of fibre, which is used exclusively for Broadlink's microwave high sites and backhaul requirements.
"With this footprint, and the fact Broadlink reaches over 3 000 businesses, it made sense to offer customers access to both fibre and microwave.
"Broadlink's fibre will meet the increasing demand from users of large quantities of bandwidth at a competitive price. We are responding to requests from businesses for connectivity solutions that complement our radio network for clients with requirements for very high data transfer rate requirements," notes Brown.
He points out the company has partnered with numerous well-established fibre providers of metro and long-haul telecommunications traffic in SA. This collaboration will bring a competitive offering to the market as it continues to grow, he continues.
"This carrier-grade network will assist in the delivery of the full range of IP-based solutions which Broadlink offers. This will enable customers to enjoy the use of a robust network offering access to the Internet, voice, cloud and security products, which Broadlink offers as a single provider. The connectivity portfolio is ideal for customers wanting to make use of dual last-mile access mediums for business continuity, at a metro Ethernet level."
Broadlink recently extended its radio network to include Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Kimberly, Middelburg, Witbank, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Richards Bay, East London, Port Elizabeth, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Strand, concludes Brown.
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