[17 May 2025]
Having determined that it can meet the universal service and access obligations of its IECNS license within the current timeframe, Broadband Infraco has withdrawn its application for an amendment.
BBI Withdrawal of Application for Licence Amendment 14 May 2025
[13 April 2025]
Broadband Infraco (BBI) is asking ICASA to extend the deadline for completing some of its universal service and access obligations (USAOs) under its IECNS license. The state-owned company states that a change in its financial situation prevents it from establishing points-of-presence (POPs) in eight underserved districts and argues that an extension until November 30, 2026, is needed to secure the necessary funding.
The application is open for public comment until 16h00 on 6 May 2025.
[15 October 2016]
As outlined in a presentation before the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services, held on October 13, 2016
Broadband Infraco Annual Report 2015/16
Presentation of Broadband Infraco Annual Report 2015/16
[3 October 2015]
Presentations before the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services suggest that Broadband Infraco’s network assets are not being used to their full potential. To address this, the Committee believes immediate action is required from Broadband Infraco’s shareholders, the government and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
[29 September 2014]
The responsibilities outlined in the Broadband Infraco Act (Act 33 of 2007) have been transferred from the Department of Public Enterprises to the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services. This change took effect on September 26, 2014.
This move aligns oversight of Infraco with the telecommunications sector, which could be a step towards merging Infraco with other related organizations under the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services.
Proclamation Transfer of Broadband Infraco
[17 March 2014]
The following details come from Broadband Infraco’s February 12, 2014 presentation to Parliament on their 2012/2013 Annual Report
| Delivery of Mandate | As at 31 March 2012 to year to date | As at 31 March 2013 year to date |
| Kms of Fibre | 12681km | 12793km (112km added) |
| Access Points | 144 | 153 (8 more PoPs built) |
| SADC Connectivity | 4 PoPs | 5 Pops (Beitbridge PoP added) |
| International Access | Only SADC | WACS connected (undersea cable connected to BBI) |
| Business Operations | None | Insourcing completed, OSS/BSS designed. Implementation in progress. |
| Security around 54 Mesh | None | One (1) site secured (Athene site). Thirteen (13) sites planned for the next financial year. |
| IP Update to date | IP/MPLS on Golden Triangle | No expansion – currently using Ethernet over SDH as workaround. |
| Customer | Priority |
| MOBILE NETWORK OPERATORS | Leverage Broadband Infraco’s network footprint to interconnect with MNO key growth points; e.g. MSC/BSC connectivity, mobile base stations, data hosting centres, call centres; etc. |
| SECOND NETWORK OPERATOR | Maintain the Neotel anchor account at targeted MSA revenue levels as part of a longer term contract with Neotel;intensify high level executive relationship management |
| OTHER BROADBAND COMPANIES | Offer these operators opportunities to co-build with Broadband Infraco and thus collaborate on a shared risk model. |
| GOVERNMENT AS AN ANCHOR CLIENT; SOCs | Establish collaborative partnerships with other ICT State-owned companies; invoke NBP – no duplication of infrastructure; robust positioning to all Government Departments; Metros and Provinces that Broadband Infraco ideally placed to cater comprehensively for public sector bandwith connectivity demand |
| ICT SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS AND TRAFFIC AGGREGATORS | Joint Proof of Concept Product Development, Trials, to convert to long-term contracts; Strategic Partnerships for last-mile, end-to-end solutions; |
| INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL OPERATORS | Engage market through WACS consortium to infrastructure owners; Investigate and engage in swapping of capacity (DR & resilience). |