MTN said on Tuesday that it has earmarked R1,2bn for network upgrades in KwaZulu-Natal, including the operator’s first fibre-to-the-home deployment in the densely populated coastal province.
It said it will build a home fibre network in the upmarket suburb of La Lucia following its first such deployments in the Western Cape, where’s it’s building fibre broadband infrastructure in Fresnaye and Bakoven.
Civil works commenced in La Lucia on 20 July and 3km of trenching has already been completed, MTN said in a statement. Some 439 homes in the suburb will be connected to the fibre network, with the first set to go live at the end of October.
It will offer La Lucia residents speeds of up to 100Mbit/s.
But the construction of the network has not been without problems. MTN said it has received “concerns” from some residents about damage to their properties.
“MTN has posted notices at the properties that would likely be affected by the civil works. It urges the residents to contact the contractor whose number is listed in the aforementioned notice for remedial action should they have any concerns about the quality of the workmanship and any outstanding issues that remain unresolved,” it said.
“MTN is working tirelessly to resolve all outstanding issues to the satisfaction of all concerned. The contractor has assured MTN that all action will be taken to resolve any outstanding issues as soon as possible,” said MTN South Africa chief enterprise officer Alpheus Mangale in the statement.
At the same time, MTN said it has significantly expanded its 4G/LTE network in the province.
It has deployed 700 LTE sites in the province, with roll-out being ramped up in the second half of the year. — © 2015 NewsCentral Media