Vodacom signs R1bn deal to exploit Prasa’s fibre-optic network
VODACOM scored its second government contract in a week after it entered into a 15-year agreement worth R1bn with the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa).The agreement, which was signed with Prasa subsidiary Intersite Asset Investments, will see Vodacom Business provide Prasa with products and services such as virtual private network connectivity and hosted exchange platforms, which the rail agency can resell to its customers. About 2.5-million passengers on Prasa’s Metrorail urban commuter service would be able to receive free WiFi access within Prasa facilities as a result of the partnership.As part of the deal, Vodacom will lease Prasa’s fibre-optic cables for the duration of the contract and will make these assets commercially available to the government and other companies including other telecommunications operators.Prasa has more than 900km of fibre along railway lines and at stations that it uses to manage its locomotive traffic. Vodacom said Prasa would be able to generate...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.