Broadband roll-out connects City of Cape Town

20 Jul 2015

The fibre-optic network, rolled out by the City of Cape Town, has now reached the point where it is robust and extensive enough to be leveraged off by the private sector. Global experience shows that affordable bandwidth is one of the main factors that supports investment and economic growth in developing countries.

Broadband roll-out connects City of Cape Town

'Broadband connectivity is fundamental to creating an enabling environment for economic growth, development and inclusion. This is essential in today's environment, as cost-effective and high-speed access to the internet has become a cornerstone of entrepreneurship and economic development. Digital access has often previously been out of reach for a number of communities. A lack of internet access can contribute to missed opportunities that prevent many people from achieving their dreams,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, councillor Xanthea Limberg.

Below is a snapshot of the City of Cape Town's broadband roll-out in numbers:

Numbers	Achievements/Milestones
R1,3 billion	The estimated cost of the City's multi-year infrastructure investment programme to establish a broadband network across the city
Delivery to date:
R544 million	Capital spent on broadband infrastructure to date
R236 million	The capital budget allocation for the 2015/16 financial year for broadband infrastructure
613 km	The length of the fibre route
1 802	The number of manholes along the 613 km route
789 km	The length of fibre-optic cable that has been installed in the City's own duct network
43 541 km	The total length of core fibres
Benefits that have been realised:
3 000	How many times faster the City's corporate network is now compared with its bandwidth prior to the broadband roll-out project
240	The number of City-owned buildings, including clinics, libraries and administrative buildings, that have been connected through fibre optics and microwave
54	The number of Western Cape Government buildings (including clinics and hospitals) that have been connected using the City's telecoms network
9	The number of licensed third-party service providers who have taken up the spare infrastructure capacity generated via the City's broadband network
18	The number of switching centres that have been commissioned to house telecommunications equipment owned by the City and providing services to commercial third party service providers
Financial Returns
R3 million	How much the City has saved in internet costs since January 2015
R100,6 million	How much the City has saved in telecommunications costs for the 2013/14 (R39,3 million) and 2014/15 (R61,3 million) financial years
R165,6 million	Bandwidth costs the City has avoided for 2013/14 (R67,3 million) and 2014/15 (R98,3 million) that has resulted in significant financial benefits from the investment in broadband
Usage
10 GBps	Speed of the core network
1 GBps	Speed of the fibre connection to each City and Western Cape Government building
26 233	The number of computers connected to the corporate network
19	The number of MyCiTi stations connected using City fibre optics for communications
106	The number of City CCTV cameras being migrated to the City network

'The City is aligned with South Africa's vision as outlined in the National Development Plan, to provide a seamless information infrastructure that will underpin a dynamic and connected vibrant information society, and a knowledge economy that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous. We are also pleased to partner with third party service providers to roll out our digital inclusion strategy and stimulate economic development in less advantaged areas,' added Limberg.