A new competitor has entered the local budget Internet access market in the hopes of attracting what it says is an estimated one million home PC owners who are not yet connected to the Web.
The new Polka Internet service provider went live this week, offering a relatively low frills service for a relatively low price. "There are a number of players in the low-cost market, but we believe there is space for new competition," says GM Russel Dreisenstock.
Polka is a virtual Internet service provider commissioned by M-Web Connect, which runs on an independent mail platform and network infrastructure to that of Premium Branded M-Web. Dreisenstock says management of these has been outsourced to Internet Solutions.
Research by the Webchek Internet division of Cape Town-based Research Surveys shows the market has grown by 8.72% since 2002 and that more people are using the Internet.
Dreisenstock admits there are cheaper services, but Polka is aiming at providing the best quality service at an affordable price. He says the monthly cost of R75 is the best level that could be achieved while still providing good support, international bandwidth and modem speeds. "We weren`t willing to compromise on quality."
Polka offers customers full Internet connectivity as well as e-mail with three aliases, and spam and virus protection. The service also includes the facility for Polka subscribers to access their e-mail using any Internet-connected computer anywhere in the world.
"I genuinely hope we are adding a new good value service and that the public will find they are getting what they need at a fair price."
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