The exclusive five-year partnership will evaluate the viability of open-access high-speed Internet to the company's 353 commercial and industrial properties across South Africa in what is described as the first project of its kind and scale by a South African property company.
Rudolf Pienaar, Growthpoint Properties Offices divisional director, say, "High-speed Internet is crucial for businesses today. Reliable, fast Internet is an attractive incentive for business in our 'connected' world and by providing it in our buildings, the company is giving South African businesses another tool to help them thrive."
Engelbert Binedell, Growthpoint Properties Industrial divisional director adds, "High-speed internet is usually associated with office buildings, but this partnership will also benefit the increasing demands associated with our manufacturing, warehousing and distribution clients, many of which invest heavily in technology to ensure business efficiencies. More reliable broadband connectivity has become essential for these clients."
Pienaar explains that South Africa enjoys high-speed connectivity to the rest of the world, with WACS and EASSY, the country's west and east coast Internet cables, SEACOM, and the Telkom SAT3 cables. However, tapping into this high-speed Internet and expansive bandwidth remains impossible for many businesses.
"Last mile connectivity is the critical barrier to entry. If a building is not wired up or if it is not in a major centre, businesses still cannot access all this bandwidth potential. With this partnership, no matter where our buildings are, each one could be wired for fibre and our clients may enjoy the best Internet connectivity in South Africa.
"Dimension Data will provide the fibre optic infrastructure for the last mile link to the buildings, as requested by tenants and where such service is viable."
Besides enjoying quick, stable broadband connectivity, its clients will also have the freedom to use their service provider (SP) of choice.
The shared fibre infrastructure will enable SPs to offer excellent connectivity at lower cost for their clients in these properties. It creates an opportunity for small SPs, not capable of deploying their own infrastructure, to offer their services to businesses in Growthpoint buildings. "Open access means that all SPs can access the infrastructure on an equal footing," says Pienaar.
The benefits of Growthpoint's broadband project are far-reaching. It broadens access to prized broadband connectivity, especially as its properties outside major metropolitan areas, which would not otherwise be wired for fibre, are being included in the project.
For its clients, it has the potential to increase business productivity and, in turn, profitability. It will also contribute to lower broadband costs in its buildings.
"It's even good for the environment," notes Pienaar. "It reduces cabling needed for connecting each business in multitenant buildings, cutting out cable clutter. This is especially important in buildings which aren't designed for today's massive cabling requirements."
Wired buildings are becoming more prevalent internationally because of business demand and high-speed Internet is becoming an essential consideration when developing new buildings. "While South Africa has a long way to go in embracing technology and integrating it into our buildings, more and more businesses are beginning to expect this level of sophistication and simplicity for their premises. The company recognises this and we believe our last mile broadband initiative will help clients increase their operational efficiencies and reduce costs," concludes Pienaar.
Derek Wilcocks, CEO of Dimension Data Middle East and Africa, says, "This partnership is a groundbreaking development towards the advancement of faster, more reliable broadband connectivity, which has significant benefits for productivity. The company is proud to make a contribution towards increased productivity and particularly, the South African economy."
