Nokia and fibertime accelerate roll-out of fiber broadband access to underserved townships across South Africa

Core Insights - Nokia and fibertime are expanding fiber broadband access to an additional 400,000 homes in underserved communities across South Africa, aiming to connect 2 million homes by 2028 [1][10] - The deployment will utilize Nokia's IP and fiber access technologies, including Lightspan access nodes and Wi-Fi 6 enabled fiber access points, to create semi-mobile networks [2][10] - Fibertime is connecting 1,200 households daily to high-speed internet, with speeds up to 950Mbps, at a cost of R5 per day, allowing users to purchase vouchers for service without contracts [3][10] Technology and Solutions - Nokia's ONT Easy Start will automate the fiber modem activation process, while the 7750 Wireless Access Gateway will enable a single SSID for seamless connectivity [2] - The deployment will also include Nokia's Altiplano and Network Services Platform solutions, enhancing network automation and reliability [4][5] - Nokia's AI-powered tools will improve operational efficiencies and subscriber experience by enabling quicker detection and resolution of network disruptions [5] Community Impact - Reliable broadband is essential for education, healthcare, and local economies, yet many remain unconnected due to geographical challenges [6] - The initiative aims to bring broadband services to thousands of customers in regions previously considered difficult to serve [6][10] - The partnership builds on previous efforts to deploy FTTH networks in major South African cities, including Cape Town and Johannesburg [7]