RocketNet and Vuma Partner to boost internet access in SA
20 September 2022
South African fibre internet provider RocketNet signed a partnership agreement with broadband provider Vumatel (Vuma) to reduce costs and improve internet access in the country.
In a statement, the two companies say they are offering free installations and providing service activation for households that are not yet connected to fibre. It is understood the bundle will save customers an upfront fee of R3,000 (US$173).
According to RocketNet, close collaboration between telecom partners is needed to accelerate the affordability and adoption of internet access for South African citizens, as it has become critical to the economy. According to DataReportal, South Africa had 41.19 million internet users as of January 2022, a penetration rate of 68.2%. That means 19.21 million South Africans were not connected to the internet at the beginning of 2022.
Find out more Equiano cable lands in SA
07 September 2022
Google’s Equiano undersea internet cable finally landed in South Africa in early August, according to WIOCC, the company that built the landing station for the cable in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town.
Once operational, the new infrastructure should improve the quality of the Internet not only in the rainbow nation, but also in the whole of southern Africa.
Telkom’s subsidiary Openserve is expected to complete the deployment of the cable across South Africa as Equiano’s official partner, it is understood.
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Towers completed in parts of Gauteng
06 September 2022
Two pieces of undeveloped land in Ward 92 in Johannesburg have been identified as locations for proposed cellular masts and the respective base stations.
Forming part of a city-wide project across 32 wards, if constructed the base stations and cell masts will be erected on municipal land in Sunnyrock, according to local media outlets.
Despite the masts being in Sunnyrock, residents of Bedfordview and Edenvale will benefit by having better signals too.
Ward 92 Clr. Kade Guerreiro said the land on which infrastructure will be located will be leased by the City of Ekurhuleni for nine years and 11 months.
Find out more Liquid Zambia opens first office in Mkushi
06 September 2022
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (LIT) is expanding its operations to Central Province by launching its first office in Mkushi.
According to a statement, the the launch will bring high-speed connectivity and a suite of intelligent technologies to the district for the first time.
“Mkushi is an agriculture town well-known for its large commercial farms. We realised that this underserved community is key to ensuring that we take one more step towards creating a digitally connected future that leaves no Zambian behind,” said Commenting on the increasing footprint in the country, Mark Townsend, chief executive officer, LIT Zambia. “The proliferation of high-speed connectivity and digital services by Liquid will empower commercial farmers and others in this sector, ultimately increasing the viability for more foreign direct investment to the agriculture sector in Zambia”.
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