Empangeni Housing Project Tests New Approach to Fibre Connectivity

Empangeni Housing Project Tests New Approach to Fibre Connectivity. A housing development in Empangeni is being used to test whether fibre infrastructure can be incorporated into new homes before residents move in, as Openserve, Huawei and KwaZulu-Natal government authorities collaborate on a pilot project involving 405 houses.

The Fibre Pre-Provisioning Proof of Concept was launched on 23 October at the Phase 1A Empangeni Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) project in uMhlathuze Municipality.

At the centre of the initiative is the idea of preparing houses for future fibre connections during construction, rather than carrying out infrastructure work after properties have been completed and occupied.

The pilot uses a “Pipe and Box” approach, which involves putting the physical infrastructure required for future fibre installation into place as part of the housing construction process. It does not include the provision of internet services to the homes.

For the participating partners, the project provides an opportunity to assess how telecommunications infrastructure can be incorporated into housing developments alongside other essential infrastructure.

Openserve is responsible for contributing its expertise in network planning and deployment. Huawei is providing technical advice, programme support and knowledge transfer.

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has a strategic oversight role, while the provincial Department of Human Settlements is contributing settlement-planning expertise. uMhlathuze Municipality is involved in local coordination, including infrastructure requirements, approvals and engagement with stakeholders.

Openserve executive for enterprise and public sector Pearl Schrimpton said the project’s outcomes would be measured, with findings to be shared with government partners.

Huawei South Africa deputy CEO Charles Cheng said the approach should be considered for broader adoption through municipal building codes and national housing policy.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the physical infrastructure created through the pilot would make future connectivity possible, although broadband services would still have to be deployed.

The findings from Empangeni are expected to inform discussions around the potential application of fibre pre-provisioning in other housing developments. Any wider rollout will depend on the lessons from the pilot and decisions by the relevant stakeholders.