There was a subtle bustle and air of expectancy as the hundreds of guests, dressed to the nines in their red carpet-ready ensembles, gathered in a well-decorated marquee at the Civic Centre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, where Executive Mayor, Councillor Parks Tau, was set to deliver the State of the City Address a few days ago.
"A special welcome to those joining us via live broadcast at community halls throughout the City, on radio and television and those joining us via live streaming to screens, phones and tablets via broadband from Diepkloof Hall to Diepsloot Hall."
This was part of the welcome by the Executive Mayor as he delivered his State of the City Address in Johannesburg. BrightWave Technologies, a black South African owned and operated broadband network service provider, is proud to have been associated with the event, having been the network behind the live streaming of the state of the city address to residents from Diepkloof to Diepsloot via broadband.
After some months of working on the ground in previously under-served communities to build a WiFi network that endeavours to bridge the digital divide between township communities and those in suburban areas, the City of Johannesburg's Community Development Department (ComDev) recognised the synergies and alignment between the work that BrightWave does, and the department's vision, which is "A city where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that the challenges of poverty and vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion are fundamentally addressed." BrightWave's high speed but affordable broadband access was instrumental in bringing ComDev's vision to life during yesterday's proceedings, as it enabled social inclusion and accessibility of the City of Johannesburg to all its residents.
Although BrightWave started the roll out of its network in Soweto, Johannesburg townships and other areas within the City will benefit from affordable, fast and reliable Internet in the ensuing months, consistent with its 'Broadband for All' vision. In the medium to long term, BrightWave will also be embarking on a national roll out.
The BrightWave network currently has over 200 WiFi Hotspots throughout Soweto neighbourhoods, and this will double to 400 WiFi hotspots before the end of July. Some of these neighbourhoods include: Diepkloof, Dlamini, Mofolo, Phiri, Orlando, Pimville and Meadowlands, to name a few. The deployment will expand to other neighbourhoods as well.
The overwhelmingly positive response from the residents of Diepkloof and Diepsloot highlighted the need to fast-track BrightWave's roll out of WiFi hotspots, to give even more township families the opportunity to enhance their quality of life through access to high speed but affordable broadband, which will enable them to access information more easily and conveniently.
Through technology, BrightWave is assisting the City of Johannesburg to achieve their vision of building smart cities.
BrightWave is a broadband technology company that offers a high-speed Internet that is reliable, affordable and accessible. BrightWave's mission is to help bridge the digital divide. It empowers those previously left in the dark, lighting the way forward to a brighter future for all. BrightWave - Broadband for all.
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