Multichoice’s Smart Village takes over from GTS
In June 2010, news emerged that GTS, well known for its broadband over power lines services, had been placed into voluntary liquidation after the company could not pay its creditors. However, the company continued operations despite the liquidation.
In August 2010, Adrian Maguire, the founder and CEO of GTS, confirmed that the company was continuing operations after the liquidators decided that the company had far more value as an operational unit than merely selling off its assets.
News has now emerged that GTS has shut its doors and that Smart Village, a MultiChoice subsidiary, has taken over the company’s operations.
The March 2011 Midrand Estates newsletter said that there are plans to ‘rejuvenate telecoms services in the gated village’ after their GTS era.
Midrand Estates developers Bondev said that the extended period of GTS trading in liquidation came to an end in February 2011, when the Master of the High Court accepted Bondev’s offer to purchase the company’s assets and stock.
After a “comprehensive study of service providers” Bondev announced that it has partnered with Smart Village, an affiliate of Multichoice, to provide telecoms services to Midstream Estates residents.
“The service at Midrand Estates will be supported by the full range of companies within the Multichoice stable, which will ensure that the service will be priced competitively and be in accordance with best practices in the industry,” Bondev said.
“Whilst the initial focus will be towards stabilizing and providing quality telephony, mail and internet services across the fibre optic network, the intent is also to extend the services to include High Definition IPTV services (complete with Video-on-Demand and Catch Up TV).”
Bondev further announced that the Internet Connectivity to the national network will be upgraded to provide redundant and high bandwidth links, as well as to ensure the low latency speeds required by gaming enthusiasts.
“The mail services will be upgraded to provide full RIM-functionality for Blackberry phone users as well as hosted services to all smart phone users,” said Bondev.
GTS and MultiChoice’s Smart Village
Maguire confirmed that Goal Technology Solutions (GTS) will cease to exist, and that Bondev purchased all their assets.
Smart Village has taken over all of GTS’s operations which consist of five sites, including Midrand/Midstream Estates, Irene Farm Villages and Glen Eagles.
Most of GTS’ staff members have also moved over to MultiChoice’s Smart Village, including Maguire.
MultiChoice did not respond to questions about the venture by the time of publication.
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