BT hints at plans to build SA fibre network

27 Jul 2011

A senior BT Group official has hinted that the company, formerly known as British Telecom, is "close to" investing in fibre projects in Africa, and in "SA in particular", as demand for high-capacity infrastructure in the region explodes.

A "data tsunami" is surrounding Africa thanks to myriad new undersea cables. But getting that data through Africa is the next big challenge, says Steve Kelly, GM for BT Global Telecom Markets in Asia-Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa, speaking at a submarine cables conference in Sandton on Tuesday (26 July 2011).

Until now, BT has shied away from investing directly in infrastructure in SA, though it has been represented in this market for years through BT Global Services, a division that focuses on providing communications and IT services to business customers.

Details about BT's plans to invest in infrastructure remain vague. However, the company is expected to host a media conference in Cape Town in a month's time at which it may outline its investment intentions for the SA market, including its plans to pump money into fibre infrastructure.

Read the full article on www.techcentral.co.za.

Source: TechCentral

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