SA will soon finalise its technology budget for the 2010 World Cup, as FIFA has handed over an annexure to the initial technology guarantees that it requires for the event.
The annexure was handed over last month, says the Department of Communications.
While it has been reported that SA will spend up to R5 billion on technology for 2010, communications deputy director-general Rosy Sekese says the final budget has yet to be finalised.
The handover of the annexure adds momentum to government's and the local organising committee's technology planning for the 2010 event, as it provides further clarity about technologies to be used and standards set by FIFA, adds Sekese. She is responsible for the overall technology planning for 2010.
FIFA requires SA to guarantee the provision of dual-route, secure, high-speed, high-availability links between venues, the International Broadcast Centre and international gateways, she notes.
These guarantees exclude issues such the provision of connectivity to hotels and fan parks, and the provision of mobile TV broadcast of games, she explains.
Meanwhile, Telkom's programme charter for the project - which dictates how the telecoms operator will roll out the infrastructure - has also not been finalised, pending FIFA's final choice of technology.
Sekese says technology specifications were not provided earlier by FIFA, as technology evolves too fast.
"FIFA will want the best, so we've had to monitor what the appropriate technologies for the 2010 games will be."
Cost clarity
The final technology budget will be influenced by the technology choices (as specified by the annexure), the cost of equipment, which Telkom has yet to begin sourcing, and inflation rates as they would apply at the time of purchase.
Market speculation is that the fixed-line operator will partner with IT-outsourcing group T-Systems to provide infrastructure and technology solutions for the games.
While both companies have refused to confirm this, T-Systems previously said it concluded a high-level heads of agreement to work with a local partner who has the necessary skills and access to the 2010 infrastructure project.
Sekese says government is at the stage where Telkom timelines are being communicated to the stadium planners and the local organising committee. She explains that the budget proposal has been submitted to National Treasury, with the understanding that the final amount may change.
Related story:
2010 technology plans mature
T-Systems partners with Telkom for 2010
Share