MTN Business today announced the expansion of its Metro Ethernet footprint through the development of strategic last mile relationships.
It says this is to address the need metropolitan areas have for reliable high-speed access connectivity.
GM of fixed mobile convergence at MTN Business, Justin Colyn, says the operator remains focused on building its own solid fibre network infrastructure.
“Having recognised that last mile fibre access is still proving to be a barrier for many businesses, particularly smaller ones, which make up a large portion of the South African business landscape... MTN Business has developed further strategic partnerships with various fibre providers, to be able to provide customers with our Metro Ethernet solutions.
“This makes viable business sense as it allows MTN Business to continue to meet customer needs, and offer cost effective and quality access, as well as value added services in the cloud through Metro Ethernet.”
Closing the gap
Through this offering, customers can choose bandwidths speeds from 2Mbps to 1Gbps in specific intervals, says the operator.
The Ethernet service is based on a fibre network that uses multi-protocol label switching technology to supply point-to-point, point-to-multipoint or virtual LAN services between customer branches within the Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban metropolitan areas.
Customers will have access to a range of existing cloud solutions including direct Internet, hosting, software as a service and voice.
“The MTN Metro Ethernet offering can assist businesses in building a viable business strategy that capitalises on existing infrastructures, while at the same time lowering total cost of network ownership.
“Furthermore, this solution can replace redundant access technologies and act as a migration technology where businesses can have the connectivity required to achieve next-generation services.”
ICT needs change as technology continues to evolve and subsequently impact business environments, adds Colyn.
He explains this is why MTN Business is focused on further developing its fibre infrastructure, while currently expanding its Metro Ethernet footprint.
“We aim to assist in closing the current gap that exists regarding last mile access, with partners who are flexible and scalable.”
Illegal LLU
In October, MTN said local loop unbundling (LLU) should not include mobile or wireless networks, because it is not legally or technically possible.
LLU has been on the cards for the past decade, but has yet to become a reality in SA. Freeing up access to the last mile is vital to stimulate competition, aid economic growth, and push down the cost of communications.
Graham de Vries, GM of regulatory affairs at MTN, said the network cannot be isolated in terms of a last mile, and there are no breakout points. “It's more like the last hundred miles than a last mile.”
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