Eskom Enterprises, the non-regulated arm of Eskom, yesterday finalised a R400 million contract with Siemens Information and Communications Group for the roll-out of fibre optic network infrastructure in preparation for the deregulation of the fixed telecommunications industry in May.
Eskom Enterprises` telecommunications arm is positioning itself, together with Transtel, to participate in SA`s second national operator (SNO), when Telkom`s monopoly expires in May. In the final selection for the telecommunications contract, Siemens won out against rivals Alcatel, Nortel Networks and Marconi to be chosen as the preferred technology partner.
Vusi Ngubeni, executive director of Eskom Enterprises, says the fibre optic network will be deployed using Eskom`s existing powerline infrastructure and the contract with Siemens covers the procurement, installation and commissioning of the additional telecommunications equipment required for a next-generation network solution.
Alwyn Martins, CEO of Siemens Telecommunications, says Siemens will provide a "next-generation technology network" that will provide universal transport through synchronous digital hierarchy technology. The initial roll-out will establish a network with coverage of all the major commercial centres and a combination of optical and wireless technologies will be used to connect customers to the backbone.
The network roll-out, to start in January, is expected to be completed by April in time for the liberalisation of the fixed telecoms infrastructure on 7 May. Ngubeni says the design and engineering of the long distance portions of the network have already been completed and the design of metro access elements would be completed by the end of this month.
Ngubeni says: "Siemens was chosen by Eskom Enterprises over its competitors because of its integrated technology offering, its strong regional presence, both in SA and on the African continent, and comprehensive telecommunications business solution capability."
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