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Fibre multi-service solution

ATEC Systems & Technologies has just completed phase 1 of a large rollout to create South Africa’s first non-gated FTTH community. This deployment, in the affluent suburb of Clifton in Cape Town, was done by deploying a fibre optic network for the distribution of the DSTV signal from a centralised satellite dish, and was completed early in January 2012 and residents are already enjoying the full set of DSTV services.

“Clifton has a unique problem in that the satellite signal for DSTV is blocked by the mountain and Leeukop. In effect most parts of Clifton have not been able to get full DSTV services since the inception of the service from Multichoice”, says Gerhard Loots, commercial director of ATEC.

Many of the ATEC customers commented that one of their biggest frustrations of moving into this area has been the lack of a satellite-based DSTV service, and mentioned that many companies tried to resolve this issue over a number of years and ATEC was the only company to actually resolve it.

ATEC addressed this 17-year-old problem by deploying a Proof of Concept FibreSuburb network in Nettleton Road. This entailed the installation of a FTTH network to bring the DSTV service as part of the initial deployment. Phase 2 of the FibreSuburb deployment entails the installation of a FTTH network for a second section of Clifton in Victoria Road and adding broadband services to the current DSTV service. Planning which includes signing up of a number of customers is currently at an advanced stage,” Loots concludes.

As part of Phase 2, ATEC FibreSuburb customers will have the option to add international standard Broadband speeds of 10-, 20- and 50 Mbps, VoIP-based voice, cloud computing and security products to their DSTV services, providing a triple/multi-play solution, according to their website, www.fibresuburb.co.za. In future, the TV services will be expanded to provide IPTV, over-the-top TV, as well as video-on-demand services.

Juanita Clark, CEO of the FTTH Council Africa (an independent organisation that works to educate governments and communities on fibre) made the following comment: “Fibre to the home is coming, and it is coming at a rapid pace. Communities that have not considered the benefits of fibre will lose residents that will move to areas that can supply their families with up to date technology trends. The world as we know it is changing fast, and communities have to ensure they have strategies in place to keep up with the pace. Projects such as these now also prove that it is a viable alternative to out-dated technologies.”

ATEC confirmed that the monthly costs associated with these packages will be similarly structured to existing fixed line pricing structures with a line rental fee and options between capped and uncapped Internet packages. One exception, says Loots, is that no customer will be expected to pay for telephone line rental (as is required with ADSL Lines) if he/she only wants broadband Internet. In addition to the TV distribution and broadband services, ATEC will also be offering security and cloud-based computing services.

ATEC is also planning to upgrade the networks of its current copper based FibreSuburb customers in Llandudno, Camps Bay and Hout Bay, to be able to upgrade them to full multi-play services. For more information, visit www.fibresuburb.co.za.

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