Background
The WCED required the provision, maintenance, support and management of a Local Area Network (LAN) in each of the Western Cape’s public schools. The schools are spread across the province of the Western Cape and include government ordinary high and primary schools, as well as schools with special needs (LSEN)
The LAN tender was awarded to Sizwe to deliver LAN infrastructure to schools throughout the Western Cape. School LANS makes use of a broadband network service which was awarded to Neotel, now called “Liquid Telecom”.
Business Objective
Each school requires a LAN, consisting of managed wired and wireless infrastructure, to be installed to provide connectivity to end user devices.
Contract Timeframe
The timeframe for the rollout of LAN infrastructure and services in schools will be spread over 5 years targeting 350 schools. The number of schools and hostels may change during the tender period.
Purpose
• The purpose of the LAN Implementation project is to bring Wi-Fi connectivity into classrooms and all instructional areas at selected schools.
• Xirrus AP’s (Access Points) are being installed in at the selected schools to provide WiFi access in all instructional areas
• Reducing the cost of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); reducing the digital divide in both urban and rural areas as well as between schools servicing different communities
• Changing the educational needs of learners via the WCED e-Education vision as part of the Game Changer
Current Status:
Total number of schools fully implemented with LAN infrastructure: 220