No shortage of partners

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 9 April 2007

A total of 24 submissions had been received by the City of Johannesburg in their search for a partner who can help them to develop the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP).
 
‘The deadline for submissions to the City’s Request for Information (RFI), to identify a partner for the development of the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP), was 12 pm last Friday’ (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).
 
In other words, Friday 30 March 2007 was the deadline for submissions.
 
What was the City of Johannesburg’s response to the number of submissions received?
 
Their response was very positive.
 
Douglas Cohen of the City’s Department of Economic Development said: “We are thrilled by the high level of interest reflected by the numerous RFI responses and believe that the success of JBNP depends on continued interest and contribution of the private sector” (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).
 
In other words, their broadband dream will surely die without help from the private sector. This is why they are ‘thrilled by the level of interest reflected.’
 
Is this the end of the tender process?
 
Not by a far shot.
 
According to Cohen “The RFI is an initial step in the tender process to identify a partner for the development of the JBNP” (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007). ‘Subsequent to the RFI, a short-list of suitable respondents will be determined and it is expected that the City will communicate with these in May 2007’ (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).
 
In other words, the next step in the tender process is to pick a short-list of suitable respondents out of the 24 submissions received and to contact them next month.
 
What happens after respondents are short-listed?
 
Short-listed respondents will receive invitations to come and showcase their skills.
 
According to Cohen they will be invited to “build demonstration networks to showcase their technology, operational and project management skills” (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).
 
In other words, they will get the chance to show their metal.
 
What are the aims of JBNP again?
 
A list of aims looks something like this:

• Strong IT infrastructure  – ‘This project aims to primarily build a strong IT infrastructure for the City…’ (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).

• Cost effective pricing – ‘…as well as to bring ICT closer to its citizens at a cost effective price, by selling off spare capacity’ (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).
   
  In other words, ‘…JBNP will assist in increasing the availability and accessibility of telecommunications to improve service delivery, education and economic development’ (Huge interest in Joburg’s broadband network, MyADSL, 5 April 2007).

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) welcomes the private sector’s drive to support the development of the Joburg Broadband Network Project (JBNP).