South Africa’s largest fibre-to-the-home network operator, Vumatel, will work with its ISP partners to upgrade the line speeds of its existing users on the network at no additional cost. The speed boost will run from 1 April 2020 until the end of May 2020, “to enable seamless remote working, additional streaming and educational services”.
“We have a responsibility to make it easier for people to stay connected as they navigate the next few weeks of working and learning from home,” says Simon Butler, chief commercial officer at Vumatel. “By increasing the line speeds, we will make content streaming and educational services more seamless; as well as enable a better remote working experience.”
The company has been in consultation with a number of its ISP partners to discuss the initiative. Many of the ISPs who have the capacity to do so, will participate.
“Our ISPs are a critical enabler of this initiative and we believe that in our own small way, we are collectively helping to make remote working and online learning, an easier process for many,” says Butler.
For new customers that are in the process of installing fibre, the company will waive its monthly line rental over the next two months, together with participating ISPs.