• Oni-Tel Fibre Networks launched Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network with Digital Parks Africa as the inaugural point of presence.

• High-speed fibre backbone connects all major data centers across Gauteng, enabling seamless, low-latency connectivity.

• Oni-Tel has laid over 70km of cutting-edge fibre for the high-speed and low-latency demands of digital connectivity.

On November 6, Oni-Tel Fibre Networks, a leading fibre optic infrastructure provider in South Africa, announced the launch of its Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network in partnership with Digital Parks Africa. The initiative aims to connect major data centers across Gauteng with high-speed, low-latency links.

Speaking at the launch at DPA's Midrand headquarters, Oni-Tel CEO Andre Pillay said the company was moving fast and stepping into a new era of participation and innovation in the market. "We are focused on resilient architectures, future-proof infrastructure, and intelligent monitoring platforms that transform how we manage and secure critical assets."

An Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network is a dedicated fiber-optic infrastructure that connects multiple data centers within a metropolitan area via high-speed, low-latency direct connections, bypassing public internet routes. These networks enable real-time data replication, disaster recovery, workload distribution across facilities, and support hybrid cloud architectures by creating the shortest possible data transmission paths between facilities.

"To date, we have laid over 70km of cutting-edge fibre, purpose-built for high-speed and low-latency, ready for future demands of digital connectivity," Pillay said. "With a proactive approach, our core network is pre-provisioned to enable time-critical requirements to be met seamlessly and on schedule."

The launch positions Oni-Tel within South Africa's rapidly expanding data center market. The South Africa data center market was valued at $2.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.40 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.86% CAGR, according to Arizton’s market report. The 2025 South Africa Data Center Portfolio by Research and Markets highlights a thriving sector, with 53 operational data centers and 10 new facilities underway across cities such as Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria. Key investors driving this growth include Teraco (Digital Realty), Equinix, MTN, Vodacom Business, and Africa Data Centres.

The Inter-Data Centre Fibre Network launch aligns with significant infrastructure investments across South Africa's data center sector. Microsoft announced in March 2025 plans to spend ZAR 5.4 billion ($300 million) on cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa by the end of 2027. In November 2024, Teraco unveiled the JB7 expansion backed by a ZAR 8 billion ($440 million) syndicated loan to add 30 MW of capacity to its Johannesburg campus.

Hikmatu Bilali