JBNP to bring relieve

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 26 February 2007

The Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP) will bring relieve to Joburg residents by lowering the costs of telecoms in the city and also enabling improved service delivery.

‘The City yesterday launched a Request for Information (RFI) process to identify a partner for the development of the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP)’ (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007). In other words, it’s clear that the City of Joburg is serious about the development of a municipality broadband network.

Is it really necessary to develop such a network?

Well, Telkom for one is not going to move mountains or even a pebble to get the cost of broadband down, at least not soon enough. This leaves the City of Joburg with no choice but to development their own municipal broadband network.

Reasons why the development of such a network is essential:

• International trends – According to Douglas Cohen of the City’s Department of Economic Development: “The development of a City-wide broadband network has been in the pipeline for some time and is in line with international trends in municipal broadband deployment…” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007).

• Availability and accessibility of telecoms – Also according to Cohen: “…Cities around the world are increasing the availability and accessibility of telecommunications to improve service delivery, education and economic development” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007). In other words, the development of such a network will among other things give our economy a boost.

• 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup – Cohen added: ““The network is also vital to cater for the City’s needs leading up to the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup and the anticipated demand for telecommunications at that time” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007). In other words, such a network is necessary for the successful hosting of this big event.

• IT infrastructure  – According to Jabulani Zimu of the City Office of the CIO: “The purpose of the Broadband project is primarily to build a strong IT infrastructure for the City…” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007).

• Cost effective pricing – Zimu added: “…and secondly to bring ICT closer to the citizens at a cost effective price by selling off spare capacity” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007).

What might be the biggest challenge to the developers of such a network?

Population density. ‘The City of Joburg, the region with the highest population density in South Africa, covers an area of 1644 square kilometers, which will present a challenge to the development of a citywide network’ (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007). In other words, they will have to deploy a range of technologies.

What about the process of finding a suitable partner?

Good question because it’s essential that the correct process be in place to find a suitable partner. In other words, the likes of Telkom can take a hike.

Zimu in regard to the RFI process: “The process aims to identify a suitable partner who will not only bring the required funding but have the skills to manage a telecommunications and IT infrastructure business based on open standards. They will also need to identify market needs and attract the target market” (Joburg moving ahead with broadband network, MyADSL, 23 February 2007).

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) welcomes the City of Joburg’s drive to bring solutions instead of problems to the table when it comes to the delivery of broadband Internet services.