11 Nov 2024
Nokia and Fibertime expand broadband access across South Africa’s underserved communities
Nokia today announced that Fibertime will deploy its fiber solution to rapidly expand broadband access to underserved regions of South Africa. Fibertime will quickly connect the next 1.5 million customers leveraging Nokia’s Lightspan FX Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and Wi-Fi 6 enabled Optical Network Terminals (ONTs).
Nokia’s technologies are key to enabling Fibertime’s flagship product: R5 a day for uncapped, unthrottled internet. Currently, less than 85% of South Africans have access to high-speed broadband, leaving many reliant on costly mobile plans that are up to 70 times more expensive per gigabit than fiber. Through Nokia’s fiber solution, Fibertime will unlock a new wave of affordable, reliable, pay-as-you-go broadband, empowering local communities with increased access to education, employment, and business opportunities.

“With Nokia’s support, we’re confident in our ability to reach 1.5 million homes within the next five years. We’re unlocking a massive, untapped market of 13 million homes in South Africa that are ready for affordable, quality internet. That market will need approximately R60billion of investment over the coming decade and will generate reliable returns for investors. The market opportunity is akin to that presented to mobile operators when they expanded into prepaid markets. Together with Nokia, we can bridge the digital divide, accelerate growth, and create lasting social and economic impact across South Africa.”