R15m for Gauteng broadband operations

The funding has been allocated for the establishment and running of a Project Management Office (PMO) for Broadband over three years.

G-Link would lead to the establishment of a single technology platform for the provision of broadband networks in the province.

The Gauteng Department of Finance has allocated R15.9 million over the next three years to the establishment and running of a Project Management Office (PMO) for its Broadband initiatives.

Finance MEC, Mandla Nkomfe, revealed in his budget speech that the department receives R5 million in 2013/14, while R5.3 million would be allocated in 2014/15 and another R5.6 million in the 2015/16 financial year for the PMO.

Last year, the provincial government revealed it was searching for technology partners for its G-Link Broadband programme. The initiative would lead to the establishment of a single technology platform for the provision of broadband networks in the province – while providing government services and improving network access and connectivity.

The G-Link project is expected to give citizens access to basic broadband at speeds of between 1-4Mbs over the first three years. This would be increased to broadband speeds of over 5Mbs over the next five years.

The provincial government aims to achieve 95% broadband coverage through the project. Work is currently underway to ensure the roll-out of network infrastructure between 2012 and 2014.

The G-Link programme, which aims to provide infrastructure for ICT and broadband capacity for internet connectivity in the province was transferred from Blue IQ to the Gauteng Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in the 2008/09 financial year.

The project, also known as Blue Umbrella, was first announced by former Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa in 2008.