Evotel, an open-access fibre to the home network infrastructure provider has committed to delivering a stable and uncompromised network to all the homes in a suburb. The company, which is currently installing fibre to the home (FTTH) in Newcastle, will also be installing free WiFi to schools in the area.
According to Bradley Bekker, Head of Sales and Marketing for Evotel, installation of an upgraded fibre network in Newcastle began this month (August 2020).
“Evotel works in partnership and with the support of the community and the local municipality. Following requests by residents and businesses in Newcastle for an upgraded, faster and more reliable internet network, Evotel has consulted with the Newcastle Municipality, ward councillors and residents to set out a plan for the development and implementation of such a network,” explained Bekker.
He added that the network would cover 14 suburbs:
Signal Hill
Schuinshoogte
Aviary Hill
Pioneer Park
Sunnyridge
Barry Hertzog Park
Amiel Park
Hutten Heights
Newcastle Central
Ghandi Park
Richview
Lennoxton
Paradise, and
Arbor Park.
What the installation will entail
The installation of FTTH fibre network will, in this case, comprise of a trenched solution, though Evotel is in favour of aerial installations, using already existing municipal infrastructure – lampposts – for a more cost-effective, quick to install and easily serviceable network.
The municipality, however, does not allow any aerial installations, thus it was agreed that Evotel will do a traditional trenched installation.
“Although we advocate and mainly install aerial infrastructures, as we believe in its increased benefits, it doesn’t preclude us from doing trenched installations. We are as equipped and well-appointed to install a trenched or underground solution that is of an exceptional standard as our above-ground installations. Our ultimate goal remains to provide a fibre network that is fast and reliable to people and communities, be it through aerial or trenched infrastructures,” Bekker explained.
According to Bekker, the Newcastle trenched fibre network installation will take longer than an aerial rollout:
“For the Newcastle installation we have calculated the process to take approximately 12 to 16 weeks to complete if there are no unforeseen disruptions,” he added.
The area to be covered during the Newcastle installation will connect 10 000 residences and businesses.
Free fibre to schools
In line with Evotel’s promise of providing uncompromised services to its customers and communities, Bekker said:
“We have undertaken to provide free internet connections to all the schools that fall under the area of our network installation. The main focus here is to provide learners with the ability to connect to the internet, giving them access to the much-needed resources to be successful, they are our future leaders”.
All schools within the Evotel network area in Newcastle will benefit from the free internet connections the company will supply them with. If they choose to make use of the opportunity to get free fibre connectivity, they should contact Evotel.
“We have aligned with certain internet service providers (ISP) who are working alongside us on this special project of uplifting the youth and offering more cost-effective access to smart-schooling,” Bekker concluded.
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