22 April 2010
South African mobile provider Vodacom has launched its Metro-Ethernet network, a super-fast “last mile” fibre-optic connection offering businesses in the country’s metropolitan areas cost-effective, scalable, reliable bandwidth.
Dubbed “Metro E”, the new fibre-optic network offers South African companies service speed options from 2Mbps to 1Gbps, control over how much bandwidth they need, and flexibility as to when they need it.
The network allows for easy, rapid transfer of large amounts of data and is ideal for services that require smooth data provisioning, such as video conferencing.
“Companies are facing increasing bandwidth requirements as they deploy more high-bandwidth applications, such as voice, video and networked storage,” Vodacom Business managing executive Ermano Quartero said in a statement this week.
“But in order to deploy these applications, companies need a high-bandwidth, low-cost, reliable last-mile service. Vodacom Business is able to now meet these needs with its Metro E service.”
According to Quartero, Metro E is targeted at the enterprise and large business markets, which require high-speed and reliable transmission links supported by stringent service-level agreements.
Wide Area Network
Metro E will connect businesses to a wide area network, such as the internet, and enable large companies to use the Metro E network to connect branch offices to mission-critical applications, as well as linking offices in different metropolitan areas.
It is based on Vodacom’s extensive, high-capacity optical fibre infrastructure, which is centred on Vodacom Business’ Service Hubs in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
The promised benefits of Metro E network include super-fast connections, evenly matched upload and download speeds, the option to buy data in increments of 2Mbps, easy one-device installation, and efficient service.
Quality of service
The Metro E fibre network has been laid along the routes of large businesses, which makes for easy access to the Vodacom Business fibre termination point – only 50 to 100 metres from their premises.
“Metro E provides companies with more control over their information and communications infrastructure, supported by the latest optic fibre solution. And as Vodacom Business owns the last mile, there is no need for third-party suppliers – ensuring a guaranteed, managed quality of service.”
Metro E is available immediately to all businesses based in South Africa’s major metropolitan areas.
SAinfo reporter
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