Confed Cup tech on track

Johannesburg, 01 Jun 2009

All major IT and network upgrades for the Confederations Cup are complete, says the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC).

While most - not all - of the IT infrastructure for the event has already been commissioned, the LOC says all systems will be ready on time.

Some IT infrastructure, such as telephony devices, notebooks and communication devices, has yet to be commissioned for all four venues, but the LOC maintains these will be completed on time. The Confederations Cup will serve as a dry run for the ICT functionality and the network, which will be installed and will have full 2010 specifications.

Rich Mkhondo, chief communications officer of the LOC, says that with only two weeks to go to kick-off, the LOC is on track with its plans and there is nothing that is of any concern.

“Telkom carrier rooms have been completed at all stadiums and all Telkom infrastructure is in place. Radio communication is in place at all stadiums. All stadiums are interconnected and the Department of Communications (DOC) has provided all government guarantees.”

Fifa delegates recently approved the readiness of two host cities - Tshwane and Johannesburg. Delegates from the IT and communications division stated IT upgrades to the stadiums have been completed and said they were satisfied with the progress made. The other host cities are Rustenburg and Bloemfontein.

Major players

The LOC says all major contributors to the telecoms solutions for the Confederations Cup have met requirements.

Telkom will provide all infrastructure requirements for national and local connectivity during the tournaments and an intra-stadium LAN network to connect all venues. Two primary links, located separately and protected by the national network, would ensure Telkom meets its requirements. The broadcast centre for the Confederations Cup, the IBCC - which will be hosted at Coca-Cola Park, in Johannesburg - will also be catered for on the network.

The DOC is tasked with providing the domestic telecoms infrastructure, as well as the local and international needs for broadcasters and organisers. A key part of the ICT government guarantee is to install the access network, which will connect host stadiums and the IBCC with public telecoms exchanges.

Following the latest bi-monthly meeting held between the DOC, Fifa, Match IT and HBS, the LOC says it is satisfied government is on track to deliver for the Confederations Cup.