Citywide Broadband Roll-out in Durban

That was the announcement yesterday - the rumours were confirmed. Durban we know, already has an extensive and sophisticated fibre-optic network. Those of us who live here have been stumbling over cables and trenches in pavements for the past few years. At present local government is using the network to connect all its various offices and two “secret” clients are already on board.

So the Roll out has begun. Soon the citizens of Durban will be benefiting from affordable broadband – purchased through an “agent” from the municipality. No more Telkom and its crummy copper cables.

Faster, more affordable and high quality broadband is just around the corner for the over 3,5 million people of this city.

And for me access to information means acceleration of growth and development. That alone makes me excited. (Ok, I’m also thinking of the bliss of a Telkomless life; of faster downloads of not blowing my cap every month and having to dig into my pocket – and because I make websites I’m thinking of how the market is just going to surge.)

The people involved with the project are all relieved that it has eventually turned out right because there have been many years of fights with Telkom and Icasa and also government legislation I would assume, but now eThekini Municipality will become, probably the first in Africa and one of a few in the world to provide broadband access to all its people.

Jacquie Subban, head of geographic Policy, who has been running with this project, said yesterday that roll-out would proceed as fast as possible in line with budget restraints.

She said that more specifications and tariffs would be announced at the Smart City Conference early October.

AS usual I took some pics – just click the flickr pics in the right sidebar.

For those who want to know who the VIPs were – Eric Apelgren was MC, The Mayor, Clr Mlaba opened the proceedings; City Manager Dr Sutcliffe and Geo.Policy Manager Jacqui Subban explained what was happening and made the announcements; Professor Francesco Petruccione, Centre for Quantum Technology (UKZN) talked about Quantum physics, Martin Cele, Smartxchange board member and Robynne Erwyn Smartxchange CEO did acknowledgements and announcements and Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo did the vote of thanks.

The media conference was also attended by the very generous sponsors who put together a goodie bag for the media.