eThekwini Municipality selects Dimension Data for R10m network upgrade

As part of its vision to prepare itself for `digital city` status, the eThekwini Municipality is upgrading the city`s metropolitan area network (MAN).

The upgrade to a secure, robust Cisco network will allow for the convergence of voice, video and data onto a single network and will connect 26 remote sites.

The R10 million backbone upgrade contract was awarded to Dimension Data on the condition that it engages a number of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) from inception of the project, including proof of concept, product ratification, deployment and maintenance.

Dimension Data appointed five SMEs. Three are from SmartXchange, Durban`s hub for nurturing small black IT companies, and are NewLunar Technologies, Get Ahead Computers and Compuzone. The other two are Ele Afrika and Imvotech.

Lunga Madlala, deputy head of information technology at the eThekwini Municipality, says the city`s vision is to create a digital city by 2010. "By digital city we mean to provide affordable, high quality, equitable broadband access for all our citizens, businesses and visitors. The infrastructure that is currently being rolled out will ensure we create a foundation for that vision.

"The vision for the digital city conforms with our plans to improve quality of life and secure economic growth," says Madlala. The city`s vision is four-fold:

* To provide wide ranging e-services
* To enable people working from home or away from the office using broadband access
* To encourage innovation by connecting hospitals, educational institutions, government departments, the private sector and people with ideas to share information and knowledge
* To encourage the creation of high-bandwidth applications and services, take advantage of multimedia offerings and attract workers and local investment to create jobs and stimulate wealth

Martin Cele, CEO at SmartXchange, says: "We are building a pool of people and companies to work with Dimension Data in developing and building the city`s infrastructure, implementing and supporting it and then extending it beyond the municipal boundaries and ultimately the entire KwaZulu-Natal province."

Madlala adds that the contract was awarded to Dimension Data because it offered the best technical design and solution, which fully met the municipality`s requirements. A further deciding factor was the fact that Dimension Data was willing to engage with SMEs on the project.

Jay Reddy, managing director of Dimension Data in KwaZulu-Natal, says this is the first time the company has engaged in such a model - working with SMEs in a major project - in this province.

"Two of the SmartXchange SMEs will continue to be used for ongoing work in the corporate sector, local and provincial government after the project`s completion in June 2005. Our aim is to work with SmartXchange and grow new incubation companies in the ICT sector, thereby stimulating growth and work opportunities," adds Reddy.

Madlala notes that creating a broadband web in the city and its surrounding districts, with points of presence in rural communities, will create more skills and foster economic development in outlying regions. This will also serve to bridge the digital divide. Where fibre optic cabling is not feasible, wireless technology will be deployed.