2010 ICT spend could top R5bn
Thapelo Sakoana
8 May 2007South Africa will spend between R2-billion and R5-billion on the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure needed to host a successful World Cup in 2010.
Speaking at the Pan African ICT in Government Summit in Mbabane, Swaziland on Monday, Local Organising Committee information technology manager Zakes Mnisi said the country would provide all the ICT infrastructure needed to execute the event.
This includes event management systems encompassing software to manage the accreditation of delegates, as well as transportation, travel and protocol systems.
About 4 000 people will need official accreditation for the World Cup. All stadiums will have ticket compounding points and accreditation centres within one kilometre's distance.
Mnisi said an international broadcasting centre would also be set up to function as the central hub for all broadcasting activities during the tournament. Encompassing 30 000 square metres, the centre will also provide space for broadcasters to set up temporary newsrooms.
"All telecommunications transmissions from or to venues or non-venues will end and start at the centre," Mnisi said.
The Department of Communications' director for 2010, Padiso Makolo, said reliable back-up power would be supplied for the centre.
Makolo said Fifa had provided his department with a list of the ICT requirements for the event, and that Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburri had assured the South African Cabinet that these requirements would be met.
"This event provides an opportunity for the government to accelerate the provision of robust, state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure in the country," he said. "The upgrading of communications networks can also be used to lower telecommunication costs."
IBM South Africa MD Mark Harris said the private sector should look at how best it could help the government put efficient ICT infrastructure in place to ensure sustainable use post 2010.
"We must look at providing things that the government does not have, such as skills and technologies," Harris said, adding that private companies could use their global experience to help the government.
Source: BuaNews
