Are WiFi networks key to bringing VOIP to whole of SA?

South African low-cost telecoms solutions specialist, TopCall, has announced the availability of the XJ200 WiFi Handset as part of its comprehensive suite of cost-effective communications solutions.

Available immediately from the Sandton-based company, the XJ200 enables users to place and receive exceptionally low-cost phone calls over WiFi networks.

"The XJ200 adds mobility to the benefits of VOIP calling," explains Cassim Ghanty, Marketing Director for TopCall.

"Users no longer need to access a wired network to benefit from VOIP's incredibly cheap rates, like 27c per minute to a South African landline number or less than 8c per minute to a UK or US number."

Ideal for businesses of any size that are keen to combine the economy of the Internet with the flexibility of WiFi networks to reduce their communication costs, the XJ200 can automatically scan for, and connect to, available WiFi LANs and supports value-added features such as VoiceMail, caller ID and call forwarding.

"Callers can also take advantage of the rapidly growing number of free public WiFi 'hotspots' to make and receive low-cost calls when they are out and about," notes Ghanty.

Ghanty and the team at TopCall have extensive experience in the telecommunications and information technology industries and a clear vision of what telephony in South Africa should be like.

"We share the government's vision of a 'technologically connected' South Africa in which every citizen benefits from access to the Internet and cheap telephony," confirms Ghanty. "We can already offer that to the residents and businesses of Lenasia through the WiFi network we have established there and we anticipate covering the whole of Gauteng within the next 12 months."

Lenasia is already covered by the TopCall WiFi network and residents can access it using either the XJ200 handset or by plugging their normal, analogue phone into a dedicated adapter supplied by TopCall. "Once connected, they can take advantage of our packages of bundled minutes called 'buckets'," explains Ghanty. "For example, the 'South Africa Bucket 300' offers 300 minutes to any South Africa landline and/or 100 minutes to any South Africa cell for just R193. In other words, customers can call SA landlines for less than 27c per minute and SA cellphones for less than 79c per minute. We also allow customers to call anyone else on the network for free."

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TopCall also offers cheap international calls and customers that take advantage of this service can also benefit from having their own direct inward dialling or DID number. "Aside of being able to call countries like the UK from 8c per minute, customers get their own UK telephone number as well," explains Ghanty. "So the savings flow both ways and UK residents can call them for the same price as a local call.

"Whether you are an SMME, corporate or residential user looking to reduce your telecoms costs, the comprehensive range of flexible solutions available from TopCall guarantees you will save money," maintains Ghanty. "If you already have broadband, you can simply plug in and start calling, but we also supply ADSL to those that are not already connected."

Anyone interested in finding out more about how TopCall's economical telecoms solutions can save them money should contact the company to arrange a no-obligation consultation. TopCall can be contacted toll-free on O861 TOPCALL or +27 (0)11 784 9800. Further details about the firm and its extensive range of products and services can also be found on its Web site: http://www.topcall.co.za.

Recognised as an innovative South African ICT company, TopCall is being supported by recently merged business and technology incubator, SoftstartBTI. The company has enjoyed sustained growth since becoming a virtual tenant at the Midrand-based incubator. "The impressive network of contacts Brian Carl Brown and the SBTI team have has been instrumental to our success," enthuses Ghanty, "particularly in putting together a team of national resellers."

Despite joining SBTI two months ago without clients or resellers, TopCall is already enjoying steadily rising sales through its national network of 12 resellers. "We had heard about Brian Carl Brown and SBTI's abundant resources and connections," confirms Ghanty, "but didn't envisage being able to reach outside Gauteng within the first two months."

"TopCall is a great example of a South African firm that is good for South Africa," enthuses Brian Carl Brown. "Bringing affordable, accessible telephony to the citizens of South Africa is a splendid endeavour and we are delighted to be able to use our expertise and experience to support them in their efforts."

If you are a budding entrepreneur involved in the ICT or electronics markets and would like to take similar advantage of comprehensive list of services provided by the incubator, Brown would like you to come in and discuss your plans over a cup of coffee. Please contact either Brian Carl Brown (brian@sbti.co.za) or Farrah Naidoo (farrah@sbti.co.za) on (011) 695 4800 to arrange an appointment.