INTERNET OF THINGS
OUBAAI GOLF RESORT
themselves attractive and are learning how they can to 1Gig broadband. Even though South Africa has
capitalise on the fibre in their communities. been a bit behind the rest of the world, the trend is
What can fibre do for a community?
The bulk of FTTH deployments have been about fast
internet. However, fibre optic infrastructure is so much
more than that. At this year’s ARC Conference we are
certainly picking up, and we believe that South African
homeowners can ask for R50 000 more if their home
is future ready.
www.ftthcouncilafrica.com
taking a look at what fibre can do for a community
if applied correctly. For instance, communities can
use existing fibre to deploy video surveillance in
their communities and, although this is a very simple
example, the impact is that it can translate into reduced
insurance rates if it can be demonstrated that the
HOAs are attempting to safeguard their communities.
We are also taking a look at smarter homes and
have invited an expert in FTTH who has deployed his
own fibre project in an estate to share some valuable
lessons. Communities are scratching the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to the actual application of
what the technology can do for them, and FTTH is
DAINFERN
certainly not just about a fast internet connection. It
is imperative for communities to know how to make
their areas more desirable and what else they can do
with the technology.
According to the FTTH Council Africa, there is a
financial benefit for homeowners who have fibre
optic infrastructure in their communities. Is that true?
Research shows that homes that are connected with
FTTH have an increased value of between $5 000
(US market) and $11 000 (Asian market). This is fairly
significant if you think that you can have this increase
in property value without investing a cent.
THESEN ISLANDS
In South Africa we are trying to educate estate agents
on FTTH and reminding homeowners to inform estate
agents if their home is fibre connected. A study in the
USA conducted in 2014 by the FTTH Council USA found
that there was a higher per capita GDP in communities
where gigabit internet was available. It also found that
homes sold for seven percent more if they had access
SAN LAMEER
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