The Greater Melville suburb plans to install Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in its neighbourhood.
The Fibrehood committee in the area has launched a survey to determine the level of support from residents and businesses for the introduction of a FTTH in its projected coverage area.
The area consists of Melville and Auckland Park, the residential portion of Richmond, Brixton east of Ripley Road, north of Fulham Road, Westdene east of Thornton Road and south of the Westdene Dam.
The committee was formed in April this year to head the process of selecting a recommended provider to install a FTTH network in the area.
According to the spokesperson Andrew Marais, the committee is finalising the Request for Proposal (RFP) to be sent to potential network providers.
“The RFP needs to provide information concerning the level of support for a Fibrehood and the amount which residents and businesses would be prepared to pay for a fibre-based broadband service,” said Marais. He also informed that they have called all residents and business owners to complete the survey which may be found at I Love Melville.
“The committee would like to finalise the RFP before 18 September so it is essential that a sufficient number of residents and business owners complete the survey before that date to demonstrate the support which is required by network providers. This is typically between 30 and 35 per cent of all residential properties in the neighbourhood but we would like to exceed 40 per cent.
“We are confident that there is huge support for the introduction of a Fibrehood in the area and that residents and small business owners will readily respond to the call to complete the survey,” said Marais. Meanwhile, other areas – such as Northcliff – have already chosen their potential network providers.
Marais highlighted that by supporting the initiative residents might soon enjoy fast internet access, have the ability to watch High Definition (HD) TV in real time and download movies and other media in seconds. The committee will also look at a fibre network that enables a communication backbone which is able to support an area-wide camera surveillance system.
Details: fibre@ilovemelville.co.za
Related articles:
Parkhurst picks Vumatel to supply fibre optics to homes
