Mbabane:The EPTC has launched the Fibre Deployment which is anticipated to open up more opportunities for increasing efficiencies and enabling high speed access to many applications required in businesses and homes.
‘’We are fully aware that EPTC is battling the pandemic of copper theft which has severely affected not only the company but the whole nation,’’ said the Minister of ICT represented by the Principal Secretary Phesheya Dube addressing the drastic increase in copper theft that the EPTC and the Kingdom of Eswatini has been encountering for some considerable time. The Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation has launched its very first large-scale deployment of an optical fibre network to reach the valued customers of the EPTC. ‘’In search for the new customers and restoration of services lost due to copper, we have commenced an accelerated deployment of wireless and optical fibre connectivity which will provide superhighway to home and business,’’ highlighted the Honourable Minister during the launch. The work done by the police and the community members at large to fight against copper theft was applauded by the Minister. Whilst on that note, she further warned all perpetrators that the long arm of the law will deal with all those implicated accordingly.
The Launch took place at Mantenga Lodge, Zulwini where the Minister of ICT highlighted and confirmed places where the first phase of the fibre deployment has been completed. These areas are the Mantenga Estate, Spintex Village as well as the Mahlanganisa township and surrounding areas. The network will ostensibly be able to support many values added services such as high-definition video streaming, video conferencing, remote working, telemedicine just to mention a few. In the Minister’s words, ‘’We must all jealously protect all national infrastructure, this will promote the country’s initiative to attract new investments thus increasing job opportunities.’’ It worth mentioning that the work EPTC has laid the foundation on is a part of the natural infrastructure that seeks to support and uphold Eswatini’s economic activities. The Broadband infrastructure is crucial for the efficient operation of companies and organisation in today’s economy. On behalf of government, the ministry of ICT congratulated the Eswatini Post Telecommunications Corporation on the phenomenal job they have done. The introduction of the Optical Fibre in the last mile avail to businesses and all customers the opportunity to transact at fast speed via such infrastructure. High speed internet is essential for empowering the population and productivity. The ministry conveyed its excitement at this development reason being that it addresses key components of the NDP’S objectives of bringing broadband to the population
Discussion about this post