Umhlanga data centre boon for Durban

Issued by Teraco Data Environments
Johannesburg, Apr 21, 2011

Teraco Data Environments has taken advantage of Durban`s broadband strategy by fitting out a new data centre in Umhlanga.

According to Teraco, on completion, the Umhlanga data centre will offer local companies a wide range of connectivity options.

The company says the R35 million facility will be up and running within the next two months. The Teraco component started about a month ago and will be finished by mid- to end-June, it states.

The company established its data centre infrastructure inside a building that is being built as part of a new complex by other developers.

The development will boost the Internet infrastructure in Durban, promoting business growth in the region through infrastructure expansion, the company notes.

According to Teraco, the high-speed, resilient interconnection points Teraco will provide, will enable local businesses in Durban to easily and directly connect to the infrastructure of major network providers for access to the local and global Internet marketplace.

“This will save them costs, create new business opportunities and improve their network performance,” the company explains.

“Teraco`s infrastructure will also provide medium-sized companies with guaranteed power and a safe, secure environment for their computer equipment that usually only large companies can afford.”

It adds that its data centres are located on the fibre rings of the major licensed carriers in SA, including Telkom, Neotel, Broadband Infraco and Dark Fibre Africa.

Lex van Wyk, MD of Teraco, says the company decided to establish a presence in Durban after being approached by several big players.

Teraco Durban is part of the company`s current national and African expansion strategy, complementing its two other data centres in Isando, Johannesburg and in Rondebosch, Cape Town.

“Durban has historically often been forgotten in the local IT landscape, but that`s changing fast as it becomes the next rapidly-growing hi-tech African metropolis,” says Van Wyk.

Partnerships between the eThekwini Municipality and the private sector have resulted in Durban getting more investments to boost its broadband strategy.

The partnerships allowed companies to maximise the benefits of sharing infrastructure, and access to public rights of way for laying cables, and enticing large technology facilities providers to set up shop in the city.

The city`s MetroConnect service was launched in 2008.

In September 2010, Vodacom Business unveiled its new data centre in KZN at the Vodacom Mount Edgecombe switching node near Umhlanga.

The eThekwini municipality has committed more than R2 billion to services infrastructure repair and maintenance this year.

“There`s a lot of exciting infrastructure development happening in Durban. With the new airport accommodating international flights, more corporates are now looking to set up shop here,” says Jacquie Subban, head of geographic information and policy at eThekwini Municipality.

“Durban is also on a main telecoms artery. Both Seacom and Eassy`s South African landing sites are on Durban`s north coast at Mtunzini, giving the region access to significant bandwidth capacity.”