Deputy mayor breaks ground for Knysna’s fibre optics network
KnysnaON, Knysna’s new high-speed fibre optics project, is now officially under way.
The Executive Deputy Mayor of Knysna, Peter Myers, launched the project during a ceremony at the Knysna Fire Station on 7 April, 2017.
The project – by ISP company LaserNet and its infrastructure installation and management partners, Sizwe Connect – aims to bring economic development to Knysna, Sedgefield, and the surrounding districts, by providing world-class connectivity that will enable information and communications technology businesses to establish themselves in the area.
KnysnaOn is a subsidiary of LaserNet.
“Friday’s ceremony marked the end of a long period of planning, and the start of five years of phased installation of the infrastructure,” said Lasernet General Manager, Alan Otto.
He said that in the period since launch in April 2016, LaserNet has procured access to, and implemented services on, a national fibre backbone, and that it has installed both a high-speed microwave link to Sedgefield, and a number of free, public wifi hotspots.
“Our clients are already utilising more than 500Mbps, and that’s just the beginning,” said Mr. Otto.
This year will see the installation of fibre to Knysna’s CBD, Costa Sarda, Old Place, the industrial area, Hunters Home, Leisure Isle, Rexford, and Brenton-on-Lake that will deliver access to cloud computing, security services, video-on-demand platforms, and social media to all residents and business in the district
“The project will create local employment opportunities during the construction phase, and in the longer term it will enhance property values, and make it easier for bigger business to set up shop in Knysna because they’ll no longer be constrained by connectivity,” said Mr. Otto.
“We’re proud and excited to be part of this initiative to bring real broadband to the people of Knysna and Sedgefield because it will enable business, training and advancement opportunities, and because it will make it possible to offer free internet to people living in disadvantaged areas.
“Connectivity can do amazing things for the economies of small towns, and we’re looking forward to seeing that happen here,” he said.