execMobile has introduced a post-paid roaming data service to reduce the cost of data connectivity while travelling.
The service is targeted at executives who travel overseas regularly and need solutions that are convenient and cost-effective, says Craig Lowe, execMobile founder.
The execMobile service delivers real-time cost control over a global mobile platform to eliminate 'bill shock' following data roaming. The service offers a monthly billed 'arrive connected' option in 74 countries, or a bundle service that covers 128 countries at lower rates.
Two thirds of the $45 billion international data market is composed of corporate employees who travel a great deal and need constant connection, says Lowe, and around 505 000 business travellers travel out of SA every year, making affordable roaming an essential aspect of the local data market.
Roaming data is costly because foreign mobile networks establish high prices, determining approximately 80% of the cost for users to roam on their networks. According to Lowe, execMobile has cultivated partnerships with numerous operators, negotiating near-local rates in a number of countries.
Although other options exist for connectivity while travelling, they do not match the convenience of roaming for business executives, argues Lowe. "Local data costs will always be cheaper, but that requires buying a SIM card in that country or using WiFi where available. The SIM might require a RICA-equivalent process and will require the user to forfeit their mobile number and modify their device settings. For leisure travellers, this is generally not a problem, as they have the time to do this. However, for an executive who has time constraints, needs secure Internet access on multiple devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet), and may travel to multiple countries (multiple SIMs required), this becomes problematic."
In order to enable connectivity for multiple devices, execMobile offers a PocketWifi service, which requires a Global or Giga SIM to be placed into a wireless router, which can provide secure access for up to five devices at a time.
Given that 80% of South African corporates run BlackBerry's BIS and BES services, which may not be available on a foreign SIM, affordable roaming and portable WiFi services are particularly vital for South African executives, Lowe concludes.
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