Vuma has continued to strategically roll out its business expansion plans across South Africa. This fast-growing brand has earned a reputation for being South Africa’s favourite Fibre to the Home (FTTH) provider, connecting South Africans to the information economy at speeds of up to 250 times the current average broadband speed.

Through this rapid expansion of their network, Vuma has positively disrupted fixed-line telecommunications, opening up suburbs and communities with unbeatable FTTH product offerings, which include fast and uncapped internet.

Established and operating as a business entity entrenched in the community, Vuma has identified internet access in schools as a key component of its business development activities. This is because the lack of high-speed fibre broadband in schools often prevents students from using new-age technology and unlocking opportunities to expand their knowledge.  For many others, the cost of data has become a serious impediment to internet access.

To counter this challenge which affects many learners and schools, Vuma has launched the Vuma Schools Project which has been rolling out free, uncapped and open-access fibre optic infrastructure to various primary and high schools that fall within their fibre network. Each school receives a free 1GBps line and can choose from a variety of Internet Service Providers for free,  fast and reliable internet connectivity.

Vuma piloted this initiative with Greenside High, Hoërskool Linden and Parkhurst Primary School in 2016. To date, in partnership with Internet Service Providers, Vuma has connected over 380 schools across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town and Durban, enlightening over 290 000 young minds with free fibre internet.

What is involved in accessing this free fibre connection?

• The school must be a primary or high school registered with the Department of Basic Education or the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).
• Vuma is committed to installing the fibre line into the school at no cost and will not charge the school any rental fees for the use of the infrastructure.
• In addition to the free 1Gbps fibre line provided by Vuma, the school is offered a free 1GBps internet data package from selected Internet Service Providers.

What are the benefits of this free fibre internet?

• More learners are given a chance to take an interest in scientific lessons and innovations such as e-learning and robotics.
• Schools are saving money on the rental and maintenance of the infrastructure.
• Fibre enables and supports the implementation of new-age technology in schools.
• Valuable insights, e-learning platforms and educational tools are only a click away, enabling learners to work through research projects more efficiently. Teachers can stream endless educational videos or take virtual educational tours around the world through YouTube content and online materials.

Sharing information digitally provides a new way to connect. Learners can access online discussions with peers and teachers in real-time. Polokwane in the Limpopo province has become the latest town to benefit from Vuma’s connectivity.

Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos, is the first school to join the project in Polokwane. With over 1250 learners, Principal Gideon Pelser has expressed his delight in the project and what it means for the learners and teachers at the school.

“This is a very good development. As I’m speaking to you, the installation has been done and it’s operational. From the first day when learners start coming back to school, they will get the experience of faster and more effective internet access. We plan to let all learners have access to this internet experience,” said Pelser.

Pelser disclosed that as part of the new development, smart boards will be installed in classes to make learning easier.

“Previously, we would struggle to host online meetings or provide lessons to our learners because of the unstable internet. I was using a 10Mbps internet line but now we have a 1Gbps line which offers a more reliable online experience with impressive speed,” added Pelser.

Vuma’s Fibre to Schools project is laying a strong foundation by providing free, uncapped, open-access fibre optic infrastructure with a super-fast 1Gbps line to every primary and high school in Polokwane that is located along Vuma’s fibre network route.

COO, Simon Butler says, “Vuma is committed to South Africa’s youth, enabling, and equipping them for success. Our core belief ‘if we can, we must’ is the driving force behind this project and the Vuma business.”

Vuma has committed itself to assist schools in the education sector as it expands its business footprint across the country. Vuma Schools Project is certainly making a huge difference and contributing towards shaping the destiny of learners, families, schools, communities, and the country at large.

To get your primary or high school connected, visit vumatel.co.za or email schools@vumatel.co.za