Broadband services provider Vuma has taken another step in the provision of services in Limpopo by adding educational institutions in the province as part its initiative to supply schools with fast connectivity.
Vuma’s fibre to schools programme – an initiative that aims to provide schools with free, fast fibre – launched in Polokwane, adding Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos, Adsum Academy and Capricom to its network.
The schools programme comes on the back of the company’s recent launch of fibre-to-the-home services in Polokwane, which has seen five suburbs being connected.
Now, the fibre provider is adding primary and high schools located along its existing fibre deployment route in the province, providing them with a free 1Gbps fibre line.
The move by Vuma comes at a time the importance of broadband in education is being emphasised and promoted, especially after the advent of COVID-19.
For schools to qualify as beneficiaries of this initiative, the school must be a primary or high school registered with the Department of Basic Education or the Independent Examinations Board.
The fibre company has committed to installing the fibre line into the schools at no cost and will not charge the school any rental fees for the use of the infrastructure.
In addition to the free 1Gbps fibre line provided by Vuma, the school will be able to access a free 1GBps Internet data package from participating Internet service providers.
“Fast fibre Internet is the key to ensuring uninterrupted, efficient e-learning experiences, and although fibre is still in relative early stages of adoption in South Africa, the country is incredibly fortunate for the strides that were made in fibre technology over the last decade,” says Dietlof Mare, CEO of Vuma.
The company says having piloted the fibre to schools programme with Greenside High, Hoërskool Linden and Parkhurst Primary School in 2016, Vuma, in partnership with Internet service providers in its network, has since connected over 380 schools across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town and Durban, providing over 290 000 young minds with free fibre Internet.
“With a superfast, reliable fibre connection, schools are able to equip classrooms with smart devices and interactive platforms, ensuring learners have access to crucial e-learning opportunities and a wealth of information online without interruption and low connections.”
According to Vuma, learners are able to work efficiently and easily, access information, as well as take an interest in tech-related subjects and disciplines, which are vital for the future of SA’s economy.
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