Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Vodacom is in talks about building a national fibre-optic cable network, the company said on Tuesday.
Vodacom spokesperson Dot Field declined to give further details when asked about a newspaper report saying the company may join rival MTN and Neotel in constructing a national fibre-optic network.
MTN and South Africa's No. 2 fixed-line operator Neotel said last week they would spend up to R2bn on a 5 000 km fibre-optic cable network that will allow it to circumvent use of its rival's, Telkom.
"Vodacom has been building metropolitan fibre networks for the last two years, and has also been closely involved in the discussions around a national fibre network," Field said in an emailed response to questions.
"Vodacom will make more information about our transmission plans available at the appropriate time," she said.
Vodacom, South Africa's largest mobile phone operator, and MTN could save billions of rand in transmission costs by building their own network instead of using Telkom's.
Vodacom is jointly owned by Telkom and Vodafone, but the British mobile giant is increasing its stake to give it control. Business Day newspaper said Vodacom may be waiting until after that transaction is closed before joining the alternative network project.
Vodafone is finalising the purchase of a further 15 percent stake from Telkom for R22.5bn.
- Reuters
