Fibertime Partners with Nokia to Bring Affordable High-Speed Internet to South African Townships

Introducing Affordable Fibre Broadband to South Africa’s Underserved Communities

Fibertime, a South African telecoms company focused on bridging the digital divide, has announced a groundbreaking expansion in partnership with tech leader Nokia. The collaboration aims to deliver affordable, world-class fibre broadband connectivity to an additional 400,000 homes in underserved areas of South Africa. This initiative aligns perfectly with Fibertime’s broader mission to connect two million households by 2028, creating opportunities for communities typically left behind due to infrastructure challenges.

Using advanced technologies from Nokia, Fibertime is deploying semi-mobile networks to enable unlimited, high-speed internet access for residents, businesses, and public spaces. This initiative is a crucial step in advancing digital equity across regions, offering users seamless connectivity in a cost-effective manner. With internet access from as low as ZAR5 (approximately $0.29 USD) per day, Fibertime is revolutionizing how low-income households can engage with the digital world.

Game-Changing Technologies for Uninterrupted Connectivity

This partnership leverages a range of Nokia products to enhance service delivery and operational efficiencies. Fibertime will use Nokia’s IP and fibre access technologies—including Lightspan access nodes and Wi-Fi 6-enabled optical network termination (ONT) points—to ensure high-speed connectivity throughout homes and businesses. The deployment of Nokia’s ONT Easy Start technology further simplifies the activation process, allowing the smooth integration of fibre modems at scale.

One standout feature is the 7750 Wireless Access Gateway, which enables a unified service set identifier (SSID) across the network. This means customers can enjoy uninterrupted internet access throughout their township, eliminating traditional barriers of fixed-location connectivity. Additionally, Nokia’s Altiplano and Network Services Platform technologies streamline operations using automation and AI-powered tools, while the Altiplano Fiber Health Analyzer detects potential issues early, improving network reliability.

Empowering Communities with Flexible, Voucher-Based Internet Access

A key highlight of Fibertime’s offering is its highly accessible payment model. Residents can purchase daily, unlimited, and unthrottled internet access by simply buying vouchers from local spaza shops, retail outlets, or even via banking apps. Once activated through the Fibertime app, users immediately gain access to high-speed internet connectivity without the restrictions of contracts or debit orders. The service offers speeds of up to 950Mbps, enabling township residents to engage fully in online activities such as remote learning, e-commerce, and streaming.

Danvig De Bruyn, CEO of Fibertime, emphasized how Nokia’s support has been instrumental in the company’s success. “Nokia’s automation and AI-powered tools not only help us to improve operational efficiencies but also enhance the reliability of our FTTH [fibre-to-the-home] network. We’re now connecting 1,200 households daily, providing them with flexible, high-speed access that matches global standards while maintaining affordability,” De Bruyn stated.

A Milestone in Digital Inclusion

The agreement between Fibertime and Nokia is not just about technology; it is a game-changing effort to foster digital inclusion in South Africa. By extending fibre connectivity to underserved communities, the partnership enables access to digital tools, educational resources, e-commerce opportunities, and communication platforms that can dramatically improve quality of life. As South Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, initiatives like these highlight the crucial role of collaboration between technology corporations and local enterprises.

With the deployment already underway in major regions including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Mangaung, and Stellenbosch, this partnership stands as a pivotal step toward diminishing the digital divide. Fibertime’s commitment to providing equitable access to fibre broadband demonstrates a model that could inspire similar initiatives across the globe.