The VIT, through its partners, has the ability to develop and deploy Layer 2 & 3 backhaul and access infrastructure. This enables marginalised communities, especially those in rural and township, to access digital education.

Our project partners, Thabure Towerco http://thaburetowerco.co.za/, have built a portfolio of towers and access network points that connect a large number of learning institutions to the internet.

The reliability of the networks is monitored through the mobile NOC that the company has developed.

Where problems arise, experienced field teams provide whatever support is required. These teams are community-based and quick to respond.

The telecoms sector is developing a number of zero-rated internet services to facilitate e-learning, especially during the Covid-19 enforced lockdown.

Not many schools, colleges and universities of technology have the in-house knowledge of how to access such services, and to make such services available to their learners and students.

The VIT has the technical expertise to assist such institutions to receive our digitised educational content at minimal cost through these zero-rated services.