Disadvantaged in the Neotel loop
All the suppliers have agreed to involve small local businesses and empowerment groups in their operational activities and train previously disadvantaged students who are entering the hi tech sector.
When Neotel launched last September, it said it would invest R11bn in technology infrastructure to grow its national networks.
Last week, it said it would be investing the smaller sum of R8bn to augment the network it purchased from state-run Transnet for R256m.
Neotel already has 1300km of fibre-optic cable but has no immediate plans to offer a voice or data service to consumers.
Pravir Dahiya, the executive head of Neotel Networks, said telecoms services around the world were migrating to networks built on internet protocol (IP) technology.
“We are partnering with global leaders in various technology areas to ensure new generation technologies are introduced into SA,” he said.
Siemens Telecommunications will provide the core IP network and a network management system. Equipment from Cisco will be used in metropolitan areas, with Dimension Data responsible for setting up Neotel’s network in the major cities to connect subscribers to the internet.
Motorola will provide radio frequency planning for a wireless network built on two technologies, CDMA and WiMax. Huawei will also provide infrastructure and services.
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