A Telkom Centre of Excellence (CoE) was launched recently at the Vaal Triangle Technikon (soon to be known as the Vaal University for Technology) to conduct research on affordable communication facilities and renewable energy sources for telecommunications facilities.
This brings to 15 the number of Telkom CoEs housed at various tertiary institutions looking at innovative ways of tackling technical challenges and new innovations in the telecommunications industry.
Also on the rise is the number of sponsors in the CoE programme, with the coming on board today of M-Tech and TFMC as industry partners, joining a galaxy of players already benefiting from cutting-edge research being carried out at these institutions.
The Vaal Triangle Technikon CoE will look at new ways of providing power for various telecommunications facilities including research in fuel cell technology. National grid powers are not always available and while solar energy is used in those areas, solar systems are often vandalised and stolen.
Another aspect of the Vaal Triangle Technikon research is the development of fibre optics communication systems that can make communications available at lower cost.
"Considering both the new technological developments around termination devices operating on fibre optics and the Internet Protocol, the situation has improved for the development of a new array of communication possibilities," said Telkom`s Chief Technical Officer Reuben September.
"The goal of Telkom`s CoE programme is to promote research in communications technology, and encourage students and young engineers to pursue their career interests in SA," September said.
Telkom and industry players as well as the Department of Trade and Industry through its THRIP programme fund the CoE programme.
The CoEs are spread across the country, with previously disadvantaged tertiary institutions twined with their best-off counterparts to share skills and knowledge, which enhances expertise in communications.
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