Nokia and Fibertime have announced a landmark collaboration to expand fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) coverage to an additional 400,000 premises across South Africa’s underserved townships. This initiative, unveiled on October 6, 2025, marks a major stride toward bridging the digital divide and improving broadband accessibility in communities that have historically been left behind. The rollout will harness Nokia’s advanced Lightspan access nodes, Wi-Fi 6 fibre access points, and the 7750 Wireless Access Gateway to create a seamless connectivity experience, ensuring users can move freely throughout the township without losing internet connection.
A standout innovation in this rollout is Nokia’s ONT Easy Start platform, which simplifies the activation process by automating modem provisioning and eliminating the need for technician visits. This automation not only reduces setup costs and delays but also ensures customers can access high-speed internet faster and more conveniently. Such technology-driven efficiency is especially vital in townships where logistical barriers have long hindered digital inclusion.
Fibertime has also introduced a highly accessible payment model to make broadband more affordable. Users can purchase a prepaid voucher for as little as ZAR 5 per day, available via spaza shops or banking apps. This daily voucher grants 24 hours of uncapped data with no contracts or debit order commitments. In select areas, speeds can reach up to 950 Mbps, although the standard offering provides 100 Mbps at the same rate. This flexible, low-cost model is set to transform how underserved communities access digital services, opening new opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and communication.
The 400,000-home expansion forms part of Fibertime’s larger mission to connect two million homes by 2028, aligning with South Africa’s national broadband target under the South Africa Connect initiative. With only 14.5% of households having fixed internet access as of 2023, this project contributes significantly toward the goal of universal broadband coverage by 2030. It also fits within a continental movement to improve internet access, joining initiatives by Liquid Intelligent Technologies, MTN, and Google’s Equiano cable, all of which aim to lower connectivity costs and empower digital transformation across Africa.
For Nokia, this partnership strengthens its position as a key enabler of broadband infrastructure and IP automation on the continent. For Fibertime, it represents a major step in leveraging advanced AI-driven solutions, such as Nokia’s Altiplano Fiber Health Analyzer, to optimize network performance and ensure reliability. Together, the companies are not only expanding infrastructure but also driving meaningful social and economic progress—proving that affordable, high-speed internet can be a powerful equalizer for Africa’s underserved communities.
