Hero Telecoms (HeroTel) will connect more than 25 000 homes and businesses in Potchefstroom to its high-speed fibre network.
HeroTel CEO and co-founder Van Zyl Botha and Safricom founder Johan Kruger announced HeroTel’s acquisition of Safricom in November 2017.
Kruger served as managing director of the Potchefstroom-based fibre Internet service provider since the acquisition.
HeroTel and Safricom say they are now merging their networks and operations in order to give Potchefstroom residents and businesses access to high-quality Internet services.
“We have worked closely with Johan and his team since 2017. We would like to thank him for his support and dedication during this time,” says Botha.
“The North West is an important area for us, and we are excited to be able to finally rebrand Safricom into the HeroTel stable. We have now completed the gap in our extensive network across the province, which also includes the three acquisitions of Truecom, Koshcom and Xpress North West. Safricom clients can look forward to some exciting changes to their product offerings and our excellent track record on customer-centricity. In total, we aim to provide access to more than 85 000 customers across the province.”
Kruger adds: “It is with mixed emotions that I finally bid farewell to the staff and customers of Safricom. Since 2006, I have dedicated my time to building a lasting business in order to service the communication needs of the greater Potch area.
“I have enjoyed the journey and met so many wonderful people along the way. I know that the best future for Safricom, its staff and clients is with HeroTel. Van Zyl and his team share the same vision that I have always had, and I wish them all the success in the years ahead.”
HeroTel has been an active investor in the North West through acquisitions and substantial ongoing investment into businesses after being incorporated into the group.
“We place a strong emphasis on continuous investment into our people, the network and our customers,” adds Botha. “We have brought fibre projects to Klerksdorp, Ventersdorp, Lichtenburg, Mafikeng, Wolmaransstad, Vryburg and Potch, with another nine local towns under way.
“While we have a strong fibre strategy, we have not neglected the gaps between the towns, where we have invested heavily into growing our wireless network. We are committed to the North West and look forward to integrating Safricom into this vision.
“We have already trenched fibre to 13 000 premises in Potch and over the next three months, we will use a mix of trenched and aerial fibre to connect the remaining 12 000 stands across town. We will then connect this fibre network to as many of our 55 fixed wireless towers as possible in order to give everyone outside of town, including farmers, lodges and other venues, access to high-quality fixed wireless Internet services”.
A message will be sent to Safricom clients shortly regarding the transition plans, but for now all billing, package, contact and support details remain unchanged, says HeroTel.
HeroTel says it operates in more than 400 towns and 107 municipalities, across all nine provinces, making it one of SA’s largest on-net Internet service providers and one of the fastest growing national fibre players.
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