Cell C has become the latest telecommunications operator to get into the fast-expanding fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) market, with plans to launch commercial services in the first quarter of 2016.
In an interview with TechCentral, Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos said that content — including video on demand — will be a big part of the network operator’s fixed broadband proposition. He said its fibre connectivity products will also be very competitively priced.
“It’s not simply about putting FTTH in and then adding access to data,” Dos Santos said. “It’s about the content you provide, and we have some really innovative stuff lined up for that.”
He said Cell C plans to build some of its own FTTH infrastructure and to lease access to fibre from open-access infrastructure providers where it makes sense to do so. It is also considering acquisitions.
“We are spending a lot of time and effort looking at content,” he added. He said Cell C will create a separate division to run with the project. It will look to secure deals with international content providers. He said discussions with content companies are already under way.
At launch in early 2016, Dos Santos said he hopes to have between 60 000 and 80 000 homes that can access the company’s fibre services.
“The next two or three years are going to be very exciting,” he said. “If people think the telco sector is on a decline, they haven’t seen the future.” — © 2015 NewsCentral Media
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