Cape Town budget for fibre optic network

Cape Town budgets for next fibre project phase

By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
Johannesburg, 21 Jul 2015 

 

City of Cape Town says it has saved R3 million in Internet costs since January 2015.

The City of Cape Town says it has allocated R236 million for the July 2015 to June 2016 financial year as part of the R1.3 billion broadband infrastructure project. In 2014, the city announced it had budgeted R1.3 billion for a multi-year broadband infrastructure investment project.
The seven-year broadband project will see the city build a core fibre-optic network to connect city buildings, Western Cape government buildings as well as private buildings in the CBD.

So far, 240 city-owned buildings, including clinics, libraries and administrative buildings have been connected through fibre optics and microwave.
In addition, 54 Western Cape government buildings have been connected using the city's telecoms network, according to the city's mayoral committee member for corporate services, councillor Xanthea Limberg.

 

The speed of the fibre connection to each city and Western Cape government building is 1 Gbps, according to Limberg, making the network 3 000 times faster than prior to the broadband roll-out project. City of Cape Town says it has saved R3 million in Internet costs since January 2015.
"Broadband connectivity is fundamental to creating an enabling environment for economic growth, development and inclusion," says Limberg. "This is essential in today's environment, as cost-effective and high-speed access to the internet has become a cornerstone of entrepreneurship and economic development.
"Digital access has often previously been out of reach for a number of communities. A lack of internet access can contribute to missed opportunities that prevent many people from achieving their dreams," she adds.
ICT veteran Adrian Schofield says it's good to see Cape Town moving ahead with implementing the seven-year plan. "High-speed broadband (in world terms, not in South African terms) is a key component of the future growth of the economy, better education and health services and overall social development. The National Development Plan and the SA Connect plan recognise this imperative. Progress so far demonstrates the value proposition, so government must increase the pace of deployment," he says.