SA exceeds FIFA bandwidth requirements

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 01 Nov 2007

FIFA`s bandwidth requirements for the 2010 Soccer World Cup can be easily satisfied by SA, says the Department of Communications (DOC).

Deputy director-general Rosey Sekese says the government bandwidth required by FIFA is much less than initially anticipated.

"I am confident that we can provide bandwidth capacity that we require from SAT-3 if we negotiate with the other partners."

SAT-3 was launched in May 2002 and links 25 African countries directly to Europe and Asia. Links in Portugal and Malaysia extend to the rest of the world.

The 14 350km SAT-3/WASC cable (Southern Africa-Western Africa) has an ultimate system capacity of 120Gbps, allowing for 5.8 million simultaneous phone calls. The 13 500km SAFE cable (SA-Far East) has an ultimate capacity of 130Gbps, allowing for 6.3 million simultaneous phone calls.

Firming up agreements

Sekese says FIFA has signed off the document outlining its technology specifications. "We wanted to allow FIFA time to commit to the equipment it wants, and to make sure they sign off before we order equipment and cables."

The document sets a framework whereby FIFA requirements are met, and the processes that are followed if the specifications change, she says. This will guide the entire roll-out of the 2010 ICT infrastructure.

"Because of the way technology changes and the fact that SA is committed to giving the best, there must be room for agility and flexibility in the document."

Sekese says government is firming up its existing agreements, following the finalisation of FIFA`s technology requirements.

These agreements include the technology budget, as well as contracts with the local organising committee. Government`s ICT budget for the 2010 games was initially estimated at between R3 billion and R5 billion.

Sekese says flexibility in this context means that where original specifications are changed, both FIFA and government would agree to the change. The impact of the change will also have to be outlined and agreed to, she says.

The document also allows government to confirm its technology budget for the 2010 games, and sign a contract with the local organising committee, which is expected to deliver services on behalf of government.