South African ISP RocketNet is partnering with Zoom Fibre to roll out high-speed fibre internet in Saldanha Bay as the region lays the foundations for its smart city vision.

According to a statement released to the media, the Saldanha Bay Municipality put out to tender requesting proposals for laying the cable needed for fibre internet in Saldanha Bay.

Amoeba TSC won the tender in 2020 and selected Zoom Fibre as their implementation partner and funder.

Stakeholders say the fibre internet will be the backbone on which the Municipality will build their smart city infrastructure.

Simon Swanepoel, CEO of RocketNet says, "Smart city infrastructure creates opportunities for citizens within their cities. Cities improve efficiency in managing resources using insightful data captured from IoT devices. Data is analysed to prioritise a city's repair and maintenance to manage traffic flow better and create greener living spaces. Fibre internet is the power that drives this infrastructure, and we are excited to be part of this journey”.

RocketNet is one of the ISPs on Zoom Fibre's network and works closely with the FNO to add value by building sustainable solutions for the fibre internet system.

These solutions include free 1Gbps fibre internet for qualifying schools sponsored by Zoom Fibre and ISP partners like RocketNet.

Zoom Fibre CEO, Mo Manjra adds: “Zoom Fibre is a people-first, rapidly growing fixed network operator striving to make a meaningful difference in society by driving affordable and agile digital inclusion across all sectors of society. Alongside our existing partners, Amoeba TSC and the Saldanha Bay Municipality, and ISP partners such as RocketNet, we are committed to the Baobab project, which exists to ensure that every citizen has access to high-speed connectivity which will support improved access to services and new technologies creating a smart city for the benefit of all residents within the municipality.”

The companies explain that every home in the Saldanha Bay Municipality will receive an ONT linked to their utility meters enabling residents to monitor usage via a Digital Citizens app. This app, developed by Amoeba TSC, will go live on 1 July 2022.

They add that these value-added services allow any resident in the municipality to order fibre services regardless of location or income and at a time that suits them. When ready, they plug in and play.

"We are passionate about getting people connected to the internet. It opens a world of possibilities as citizens can engage with their cities from handheld devices. It bridges the digital divide creating accessibility to sectors like financial services empowering people to dream bigger,” says Warren Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer of RocketNet.