{"id":241968,"date":"2018-01-02T08:30:35","date_gmt":"2018-01-02T06:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=241968"},"modified":"2018-01-02T08:31:32","modified_gmt":"2018-01-02T06:31:32","slug":"what-to-look-forward-to-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/cloud-hosting\/241968-what-to-look-forward-to-in-2018.html","title":{"rendered":"What to look forward to in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Besides the usual tech releases – such as the new iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones – there are a number of significant developments expected in the South African tech and telecoms sectors.<\/p>\n

The launch of servers from major cloud services like Microsoft Azure and cheap uncapped fibre for township residents are two of the expected highlights.<\/p>\n

A completed investigation into high mobile data prices is also on the cards this year.<\/p>\n

Listed below are tech events you can expect to take place in 2018.<\/p>\n

\n

Microsoft Azure servers<\/h3>\n

Microsoft will launch Azure servers<\/strong><\/a> in Johannesburg and Cape Town during 2018.<\/p>\n

Speculation in the industry suggests that Teraco and Liquid Telecom will provide the facilities for Microsoft to host its servers, but neither company could comment on the rumours.<\/p>\n

It is also believed that the launch of Azure in South Africa heralds the arrival of other major cloud providers on the African continent.<\/p>\n

Teraco announced at the end of 2017 that AWS Direct Connect was available<\/strong><\/a> through its JB1 and CT1 data centres.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Vumatel FTTH in Alexandra at R89 per month<\/h3>\n

Vumatel plans to offer uncapped 100Mbps fibre services in South Africa\u2019s townships for R89 per month.<\/p>\n

It aims to launch its trial in Alexandra before March 2018, providing 60,000 homes in the area with fibre access.<\/p>\n

If its Alexandra trial is successful, Vumatel will expand to Diepkloof and other townships that already touch its network across South Africa.<\/p>\n

It expects to pass 2.5 million homes in two years, offering low-cost uncapped FTTH connectivity to over 10 million South Africans.<\/p>\n

\"Vumatel<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Completion of inquiry into high data price<\/h3>\n

The Competition Commission announced an investigation into high data prices in South Africa, which it is scheduled to complete by 31 August 2018.<\/p>\n

It said that the outcome of the market inquiry will be to make recommendations to:<\/p>\n