R1bn network for Joburg
Ericsson has been awarded a R1 billion tender to build a city-wide high speed network in Johannesburg.
The first phase of the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP),will be the rolling out of the network’s fibre core, which will take around three years to complete, will begin in earnest on 1 April.
Ericsson’s JBNP proposal includes the deployment of a full wireless network supported by power line communications and container Kiosks to ensure the transmission can be directed to points that would otherwise be difficult and expensive to serve, and that every citizen has equal access. "It makes sense to take advantage of existing city-owned infrastructure, like the power lines, where possible," says Jan Embro, president at Ericsson’s market unit sub-Saharan Africa, "but the JBNP solution also needs the access flexibility of wireless and the Kiosks to ensure that every citizen can benefit from the network".
The City of Johannesburg is Ericsson’s second Southern African "digital city" customer and through its JBNP, it aims to improve the delivery of metropolitan services, make telecommunications more available and accessible to its citizens and help stimulate socio-economic development throughout the city.
"We drew on our considerable experience rolling out similar networks around the world when designing our JBNP proposal," says Embro, "such as the city of Trikala in Greece, networks implemented for utilities and CATV operators and even other National Security and Public Safety solutions we have been involved in."
"We are thoroughly delighted to have been awarded the tender and tasked with providing high-speed internet access to Johannesburg’s three million plus citizens."
R1bn Joburg network – give your views
Loading ...