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DFA invests nearly a billion rand in network infrastructure upgrades

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January 29, 2025

TLDR: Nosipho Radebe interviews Suvesh Arumugam about his role as Head of Communications at MazivSee for privacy-related discussions.

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In a recent episode of Power Business on Power 98.7, host Nosipho Radebe spoke with Suvesh Arumugam, the Head of Communications at Maziv, about the impressive R800 million (about R1 billion) investment made by DFA. This investment is aimed at enhancing their network infrastructure across South Africa, ensuring more reliable and high-speed internet for customers.

Overview of DFA’s Infrastructure Commitment

DFA has made significant infrastructure investments in South Africa, totaling over R30 billion. Currently, they manage approximately 50,000 kilometers of fiber optic networks, which is notably twice the length of the Great Wall of China. Here’s a breakdown of this investment:

  • 15,000 kilometers of fiber is maintained by DFA to provide various services.
  • The initiative focuses on future-proofing their networks to meet rising customer demands.

Key Projects Fueling the Investment

1. Dry Underground Distribution Cabinets (DUDC)

One of the standout projects from this investment is the DUDC project, which:

  • Utilizes new technology to bring services closer to customers.
  • Accelerates service delivery times, allowing for faster installations.

2. Yellow and Gray Cable Project

This project involves:

  • Replacing large sections of existing fiber with advanced optical fiber technology.
  • Increasing network capacity and enabling a diverse range of service offerings.

These two initiatives greatly enhance the customer experience by:

  • Improving stability and reducing service interruptions.
  • Offering higher speed capabilities (up to 1 terabit per second).

Improved Network Stability and Performance

DFA’s strategy has emphasized stability and flexibility in their network. Suvesh highlighted several outcomes:

  • A significant increase in circuit delivery capability, now averaging between 1,500 and 2,000 circuits per month, as opposed to the previous 800 to 1,200.
  • An ambitious goal to ramp this up to 2,500 connections per month.

Metrics of Success

Through these projects and upgrades, DFA has achieved:

  • 40% improvement in circuit delivery across the board.
  • 100% improvement in the time to resolve network incidents (mean time to repair).
  • Maintained a remarkable 99.99% uptime on their overall network.

Addressing Challenges in Network Stability

DFA faced several challenges related to network stability that impacted customer experience. The podcast emphasized:

  • The need for proactive network management to reduce service complaints.
  • Implementation of a Project Management Office (PMO) to drive resource efficiency and optimal operations across subsidiaries.
  • Establishing dedicated service management for better communication and reporting.

These improvements indicate a robust strategy to not only maintain but enhance service delivery standards, ensuring high customer satisfaction.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

DFA's investment and infrastructure improvements reflect a strong commitment to enhancing digital connectivity in South Africa. By focusing on state-of-the-art technology and ensuring exceptional service delivery, they aim to create a reliable network for both individuals and businesses. With plans to expand their capabilities and increase connection rates, DFA is paving the way for a more connected future.

This insightful episode proves that investments in technological infrastructure are crucial not just for service providers but also for supporting economic growth and digital transformation in the regional landscape.

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