[Johannesburg, 6 July 2006] -
The commercial roll-out of broadband over powerline will begin within the next month in the Pretoria area, following the successful completion of trials, Goal Technology Solutions says.An investment of R500 million will be made over the next five years in extending the powerline communications service – which is an alternative to ADSL – to many areas in SA.This is according to Goal CEO Adrian Maguire, who adds: “We aim to reach about 1.1 million subscribers [within five years] and provide a full triple play service to consumers – not merely a data service.”Trials have been completed in Durban, and six installation sites are complete in Pretoria's eastern suburbs, he says.“We have received authorisation from the relevant authorities to use the powerline infrastructure in the Tswane area,” adds sales executive, Shaun Mc Kay. Permission is required from each municipality with which Goal intends to partner.Cheaper alternativeMc Kay notes the costs of the service will be R480 per month, with a R600 once-off installation fee.On a month-by-month basis, this would translate to almost R300 cheaper than Telkom's equivalent product, the 4GB unshaped ADSL plus line rental, for R770.“We aim to maintain that price for the rest of the country as well,” says Mc Kay.Related stories:
Group launches potential alternative to ADSL
Pretoria first with powerline comms?
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