ITWeb :And the third operator is

After much talk about whether or not Sentech will effectively become a third core provider of bandwidth services, or a third national operator (TNO), it seems, based on Sentech's downscaling of its already-small MyWireless services, and its preoccupation with a R1 billion “do-or-die” digital TV project, this isn't an option.

The TNO could be Infraco, however. This rather mysterious state-owned infrastructure warehousing project was developed quite secretly (ITWeb heard this week that news of Infraco surfaced in the media before many of the Eskom execs were even aware of it).

But it emerged on Tuesday that Infraco will supply the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – if SA wins this massive satellite bid, that is – with bandwidth services.

Literal information superhighway

Not interested

While a source says Neotel is attracted to the “cash cow” that is Internet Solutions, DiData says the rumours are 100% untrue.

The SA National Roads Agency's (Sanral's) project to alleviate traffic congestion on one of the country's busiest roads – the N1 connecting Pretoria to Johannesburg – seems to be off to a good start.

Getting 180 000 cars through a small strip of tarmac each day is quite a challenge, something project manager Alex van Niekerk recognises, but various tech-driven initiatives (with more to come) should make life easier for the effected motorists.

Broadband wars

At ITWeb's Mobile and Wireless conference in Bryanston this week, MTN executive Mike Brierely (CEO of MTN Network Solutions) stated that Internet adoption (of all kinds) is growing at 30% to 40% each month. He pointed out that competition within the broadband arena is likely to hot up, as city municipalities offering broadband services at local level are competition for the range of existing providers.

Is Neotel eyeing IS?

Rumours abound that Neotel is seeking to buy out an IT services firm to strengthen its competitive position against Telkom (which is in the advanced stages of getting competition approval for its takeover of BCX). However, while a source says Neotel is attracted to the “cash cow” that is Internet Solutions, DiData says the rumours are 100% untrue.

Furthermore, as IS itself has limited capabilities in terms of IT services, and, an analyst suggests that DiData would not sell IS, Neotel may have to buy DiData SA in order to access that profit base.

Cape Town goes wireless

The City of Cape Town is considering rolling-out fibre optic cable throughout its municipal area to make it Africa's first wireless city, the mayor's office confirmed yesterday. Robert Macdonald, spokesman for Cape Town executive mayor Helen Zille, said there would be a R300 million to R400 million investment.