Zweli Mokgata

Zweli Mokgata

It is now easier to gain access to cutting edge technology services such as broadband Internet, voice and pay TV in gated communities than in stand-alone homes.

Research firm BMI-Technology last week released a report entitled Multiple Play Opportunities in the Gated Communities Market, which showed that property developers across the world were including converged data, voice and multimedia services as part of their constructions.

Carolyn Falconer, senior telecoms analyst at BMI-T and coauthor of the report, says that new residential developments can be provided with access to multiple play services through various technologies such as fibre-optic cables, powerline communications, DSL or wireless applications.

A fibre solution provides the largest capacity backbone for broadband solutions within new gated estates, and is the technology preferred globally and is deployed by most local players in this market.

A small number of gated estates are incorporating fibre into their new estates.

As this becomes the norm, developers who have deployed networks will be able to use this as a differentiator and are likely to sell their properties on this basis.

Srinivasa Addepalli of Tata Communications said fibre optic networks in the country were nearing completion.