fibertime and Nokia Partner to Deliver High-Speed Internet Access to Underserved South African Communities

fibertime and Nokia Partner to Deliver High-Speed Internet Access to Underserved South African Communities

(IN BRIEF) Nokia and fibertime™ have deepened their partnership to expand fiber broadband connectivity to 400,000 additional homes in South Africa’s underserved townships and communities. The project, part of fibertime’s goal to connect 2 million households by 2028, utilizes Nokia’s fiber access and IP technologies such as Lightspan, Wi-Fi 6 access points, and the 7750 Wireless Access Gateway to provide reliable, affordable, and uncapped internet. fibertime™’s low-cost model, “5 Rand a day,” allows users to access high-speed internet without contracts, using simple voucher purchases. With Nokia’s Altiplano automation and AI-powered analytics, fibertime™ will improve network performance and scalability. The initiative continues previous deployments across key cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Stellenbosch, supporting digital inclusion and economic growth throughout South Africa.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 6-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia is strengthening its partnership with South African internet service provider fibertime™ to deliver affordable, high-speed broadband to underserved communities, connecting an additional 400,000 homes across the country. Using Nokia’s advanced fiber access and IP networking technologies, fibertime™ aims to expand its footprint as part of its ambitious plan to bring broadband to 2 million households by 2028.

The deployment will leverage Nokia’s Lightspan access nodes, Wi-Fi 6-enabled fiber access points, and the ONT Easy Start solution, which simplifies modem activation and accelerates installation. In addition, fibertime™ will implement Nokia’s 7750 Wireless Access Gateway to establish a single SSID network, allowing seamless roaming within township areas and ensuring continuous connectivity for users on the move.

With Nokia’s support, fibertime™ is rapidly scaling its “5 Rand a day” flagship model—offering uncapped, unthrottled fiber internet without contracts or debit orders. Customers can easily purchase vouchers at local spaza shops, retail stores, or through banking apps to gain immediate access to unlimited broadband, achieving speeds of up to 950Mbps. “With Nokia’s technology, we are connecting 1,200 households daily in underserved communities, giving millions of people access to reliable, affordable internet for the first time,” said Danvig De Bruyn, CEO of fibertime.

To further enhance automation, reliability, and scalability, fibertime™ will also integrate Nokia’s Altiplano and Network Services Platform (NSP) solutions, including the Altiplano Fiber Health Analyzer—an AI-powered tool that predicts and resolves network issues before they impact users. “Nokia’s automation tools enable us to detect network anomalies faster and improve operational efficiency, ensuring a superior customer experience,” De Bruyn added.

Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia, emphasized the broader impact of the collaboration: “Reliable broadband access drives education, healthcare, and local economies. Our fiber and IP technologies make it possible to deliver high-speed internet at scale in communities once deemed too difficult to reach.”

This new agreement builds on Nokia and fibertime’s earlier initiative to roll out FTTH networks in major South African cities including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Mangaung, and Stellenbosch—further advancing the mission to close the digital divide across the nation.

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SOURCE: Nokia