The best kept secret on the south coast
 Tuesday 17 May 2011 was a red letter day for members of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal South Coast Region, who were invited to visit the new MTN Remote Hub (Switch centre) in Shelly Beach. The invite was extended on behalf of MTN by recent past Chairman Ray Basson, who is also the project manager, on this development.
Ray explained that this hi-tech building was part of MTN's country wide communication expansion, and would serve as one of fourteen new switch centres to route all calls from MTN, to other parts of the country as well as to other communication service providers. Space in the building and transmission capacity, would also be rented to Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom etc.
The total cost of the project to be completed in July 2011, will be in excess of R 215 000 000, the breakdown is as follows:
- R 15 million for the land
- R70 million construction cost
- R 100 million for mechanical & electrical
- R30 million client’s technical installations
With regard to power, the building is totally self sufficient with two 16 cylinder UPS diesel engine driven generators, to provide electricity in the event of a power failure or load shedding. The air-conditioning units which have both wet and dry cooling elements, ensures that equipment run at optimum temperature, as efficiency of the operation drops with increases in temperature.
Security is state of the art with fingerprints and number plate recognition equipment installed at all access points.
The project has been a major labour provider during the construction phase, it will however only employ a low number of permanent staff, as the facility can be entirely controlled, from MTN head office in Gauteng.
The landscaping contract has been won by a local landscaper and will consist entirely of indigenous plants that have a low water demand.
Ray commended the original landowner Marlene Bense for having the vision to develop the site, and MTN for choosing our area to build this fantastic facility.
In the image above, members are seen inspecting the giant back up UPS power generator, grateful for the opportunity, to see this major boost to communication on our doorstep.
Hans Stols | South Coast Regional Manager |
