Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 09 | Page 24

COMMENT and e-health. This technology deficit will become more pronounced as the emerging Internet of Things develops into the Internet of Everything. “This lack of investment muscle is exacerbated by a poorly conceived investment strategy in telecommunications. For example, the current focus on laying down a fibre backbone is insufficient to take the country to where it needs to be. Fibre will benefit only a small proportion of the population within urban areas, but will not be economically viable for the rest of the country where large numbers of disadvantaged people live. However, a combination of fibre and 5G can make it commercially viable to provide broadband to a much greater proportion of the population. There needs to be a shift in thinking by considering the needs and requirements of the disadvantaged and aligning the telecommunication infrastructure accordingly,” he emphasises. Capital strategies ZTE has been operating in South Africa for more than 10 years, and has developed a strong local capability based on its determination to play a role in developing the country. “At least 50% of our local employees are South Africans, and our policy is to use local sub-contractors and suppliers. We are committed to training our South “There needs to be a shift in thinking by considering the needs and requirements of the disadvantaged and aligning the telecommunication infrastructure accordingly.” 24 INTELLIGENTCIO Liu Haishi, Chairman and CEO, ZTE Corporation South Africa African staff via both computer-based training and in person at our facilities in China. Coupled with the provision of capital funding, ZTE continues to look for opportunities to grow the South African economy and benefit the South African people through skills and knowledge transfer. This requires a concerted effort and in order to create the most benefit, alignment with the right partners is imperative.” Haishi says that more importantly, ZTE is focused on bringing the latest technology to the country. “We are working with various operators to roll- out 4G and to bring fibre to the home but, as noted above, we believe a hybrid approach that marries fibre and a new technology like 5G is more suited to conditions on the ground in South Africa. ZTE is a global leader in 5G, with many pre-5G projects already underway around the world, so we can contribute not only technological know-how but also a growing body of hands-on experience in the best deployment models for 5G in various markets.” He highlights one critical component of ZTE’s strategy – which is aimed at spearheading the provision of the latest technologies – is the company’s willingness to adjust its business model to South Africa’s realities. “This means that instead of operating simply as a supplier, we are prepared to participate in financially supporting the project, either by financing it ourselves on a build/ operate/ transfer model or by helping clients to access the finance needed for mega-projects from the large Chinese banks with sufficient capital resources to fund and support these mega infrastructure projects.” As China’s largest stock exchange-listed telecommunications solutions provider, ZTE is well positioned to deal with these banks. “Therefore, we can play a key role in helping South African clients access the capital for large projects. Through ZTE’s relationships as a main member of SACETA (South African Chinese Economic and Trade Association), we are well positioned to facilitate and promote other capital investment projects within South Africa. “We believe this combination of long- term commitment to the country’s development, access to capital, flexible business models and technology leadership can play an important role in helping South Africa realise its potential,” concludes Haishi. n www.intelligentcio.com