State-owned Broadband Infraco (BBI), in collaboration with global information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices provider Huawei, has launched an upgraded intelligent backbone network.

As part of its Backbone Network Expansion Strategy, BBI’s upgraded network aims to support South Africa Connect (SA Connect) and bring high-capacity, affordable broadband to millions of South Africans.

“BBI is collaborating with Huawei to build one of South Africa’s best national broadband infrastructure, building a connected and prosperous society everywhere, where everyone can participate equally in the digital era,” said BBI CEO Gift Zowa.

BBI used Huawei’s next-generation Optical Cross-Connect technology to deliver 800G wavelengths across its network, a leap that will enable massive volumes of data to be transferred between cities or data centres in real-time, supporting the country’s growing digital economy.

According to the partners, it is the first 800G intelligent optical backbone network deployed by the government sector.

The network will also support South Africa’s new BBI fibre route, which connects Johannesburg to the Kopfontein border connecting South Africa and Botswana, thereby strengthening high-speed cross-border connectivity across the Southern African Development Community region.

The backbone spans South Africa’s nine provinces and extends to the borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, providing broad regional access.

BBI is addressing one of the primary goals of the Department of Communication and Digital Technology’s flagship broadband connectivity project, SA Connect, to make connectivity inclusive and bring stable, high-capacity broadband to all South African communities and government facilities by 2030, said Zowa.

To date, through the execution of its national connectivity projects, BBI has connected over 3 000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 50 000 homes in underserved and rural areas nationwide.

“We are bridging the digital divide on two fronts, closing the digital inequality gap at home and narrowing the gap between South Africa and the world’s most industrialised nations,” Zowa added.

BBI chairperson Zandile Kabini, citing data from BBI’s macroeconomic impact study, said that for every one per cent increase in broadband penetration, nearly R5-billion is added to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

“The numbers may be from yesterday, but their truth belongs to tomorrow: when you extend access, you extend growth. And when you bridge the digital divide, you build an inclusive society.”

“This partnership will create a foundation for widespread public sector digital transformation. Huawei is honoured to support this journey, and we remain fully committed to deepening our collaboration with BBI, from intelligent optical technology to end-to-end services, ensuring this network does not just connect, but empowers,” said Huawei South Africa CEO Will Meng.

“Huawei will scale these efforts to build an inclusive, resilient digital ecosystem for the Southern African region.”

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi added digital inclusion is about providing connectivity that is permanent and sustainable, and that meaningful digital inclusion means high-quality connectivity should be available not only in urban areas but also in rural areas.

“The SA Connect project is a very noble effort to close the digital divide. We dare not fail that mission. Enhanced connectivity can support traffic management systems, public safety networks, healthcare infrastructure and environmental monitoring.”

Another critical metric it can impact is job creation. With a nationwide rollout, skills development in information and communications technology will reach even the most remote communities.

“Through public-private partnerships and alignment with national digital transformation agendas such as SA Connect, BBI is reinforcing South Africa’s digital infrastructure, ensuring that no community, especially those in rural and underserved areas, is left behind,” Zowa concluded.