Evotel starts Lenasia South Fibre network installation
Fibre Network Operator (FNO), Evotel, commenced with the installation of its Lenasia South open-access Fibre network in the beginning of October which will allow 3500 residences fast and reliable access to the internet.
Evotel means Fibre For Everyone and as such the company heeded the call of the residents of Lenasia South or Daxina as the locals call it, for a faster communications network than what is currently available to them.
“Our market research showed that the Lenasia South community was eager for a communications infrastructure that is faster and more stable than ADSL and 4G mobile networks. We saw the opportunity to assist the community and install an open-access fibre network in the area for residents to have faster internet access and online abilities with the option for them to sign up with any ISP they prefer,” says Bradley Bekker, Evotel Head of Business Development.
The company immediately started talks with the Lenasia South ward councillors and municipality representatives as well as residents and community members to set out a plan for the development and implementation of the Evotel fibre network.
Because Evotel truly cares about the communities they install their networks in, according to Bekker, the company takes its public participation programme and compliance issues very seriously. “Because we want the community to be informed and content with the processes and procedures involved, it is important to us that everyone understands what the installation entails and what they can expect from the fibre network,” Bekker notes.
The Installation
This fibre to the home (FTTH) network installation is a traditional trenched solution in accordance with municipal, ward councillor and resident agreement.
“We are fully equipped to install trenched networks that are of the same exceptional standard as our preferred aerial solutions. Our ultimate goal remains to provide a fast and reliable fibre network to communities, be it through aerial or trenched infrastructures,” explains Bekker.
Bekker also noted that because this is a trenched installation it will take longer than its usual aerial installations because the digging up of roads and long trenches simply takes much longer than erecting poles where needed.
“We see every network installation as an investment in the local community and therefore try to use local sub-contractors for installations. By employing local community members and businesses Evotel is making a contribution to the wellbeing of these communities,” Bekker adds.
Schools programme
All of the local schools in the Lenasia South suburb will have the option to be beneficiaries of the Evotel fibre network infrastructure.
“We have a schools programme that we are passionate about as it directly impacts some of the education issues in our country. Through our school’s programme we add further value to the communities where we install our fibre network infrastructure, providing those that fall under our network with free connections to our fibre infrastructure, thereby equipping them with fast and reliable internet access to help educate the next generation of future leaders,” explains Bekker.
The schools in Lenasia South falling under Evotel’s network coverage area comprise of pre-primary, primary, secondary and high schools under both public and private systems. Currently, Lenasia South Secondary School is signed up and any schools in the area are welcome to reach out to Evotel as they are eager to add them all to the network.
Says Bekker: “Due to the increased uptake of online education technologies as a direct result of the Covid-19 lockdown, our Schools Project is a perfect way for us to assist with the education of our youth. The programme is based on the same principle of laying fibre to build smart cities, but now to also establish ‘smart-schools’.”
According to Bekker, the main focus of this initiative is to provide learners with the ability to be successful in the future. “We sponsor this service so there is zero cost to the schools. As with the residents, the schools also have the option to use the ISP of their choice for their internet service. It’s one of the ways we give back to the community,” Bekker adds.
