The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has switched on a JL Dube Broadband Highsite, in Vezokuhle Primary School, Edendale, in the Umsunduzi municipality.
The JL Dube Broadband Highsite aims to bring free WiFi to the communities of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Launched on July 9 by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the site leverages South Africa (SA) Connect, the Broadband Infraco long-haul fibre backbone and Dube iConnect Internet services and infrastructure.
The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, along with its entities, namely Dube TradePort and Moses Kotane Institute of Technology, joined forces with Broadband Infraco and Mzansi ComNet to roll out a cost-effective model of broadband infrastructure.
The long-term vision is to turn KwaZulu-Natal into a smart province through digital infrastructure, with an initial six hot spot sites connected to broadband.
Vezokuhle Primary School and surrounding communities, Edendale Gateway Clinic, Umsunduzi Library, the Umgungundlovu Precinct, and the Umsunduzi Taxi Rank and Langalibalele Street are now the first group of live hot spots in a programme that will ultimately connect 20 500 hot pots throughout KwaZulu-Natal over the next five years.
There are a few municipalities that stand to benefit during the initial phase of the roll-out, including Umsunduzi, Umgungundlovu, Amajuba, Umhlathuze, King Cetshwayo, eThekwini, uThukela and Kokstad.
Other municipalities will follow as the remainder of the province is connected.
The KwaZulu-Natal government is using its contract with SA Connect and Broadband Infraco to provide the backbone for broadband access, incorporating an advanced, high-speed metropolitan Ethernet network, voice and broadband and digital links.