The FTTH is expected to enable businesses to use cloud-based services such as Microsoft 365, Dropbox and online backups; as well as video conferencing based on OTT services, like Skype and as well see families use multiple devices for entertainment and basic use.
Dubbed Fibroniks, the service will be initially available to around 8,000 homes and businesses in Lusaka including the areas of Rhodes Park, Northmead, Long Acres, Sunningdale and Kabulonga and will be sold to end-users through authorised CEC Liquid Telecom Resellers.
Andrew Kapula, CEC Liquid Telecom Managing Director, said “This is a major milestone in the development of Zambia’s telecoms infrastructure. We believe in the power of connectivity to change lives and will continue to invest in building a high-quality network which will enable our people and businesses to prosper.”
Today’s announcement cements CEC Liquid Telecom’s position as the country’s most reliable and consistent broadband provider. Last month, the company announced a US$5 million investment in building a new fibre link between Lusaka and Victoria Falls in Livingstone to provide both retail and wholesale customers with the most reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity in Southern Zambia.
CEC Liquid Telecom is a joint venture between The Liquid Telecom Group and Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC), a Zambian power generation, transmission and distribution company. Its nationwide fibre network is the first fully-redundant network in Zambia, providing SLAs at a level not previously experienced in the country.
Liquid Telecom Group is connected to WACS, EASSY, SEACOM, SAT3 and TEAMs fibre cables and provides IP Transit, MPLS, backhaul, disaster recovery and data protection services. Liquid Telecom Group is available in Botswana, DRC, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
CEC Liquid Telecom says it will invest around US$15 million in the FTTH build, which will continue indefinitely and is expected to reach 20,000 premises in Lusaka by year-end. Services will become available as each targeted area is connected with a likelihood that the build will extend to Copperbelt towns by the end of the year.