Internet Solutions and AlwaysOn this month launched the first of many carrier-grade WiFi solutions at Cradlestone Mall, a new development in Mogale City.
The companies plan to roll-out nationwide to other key high-density retail environments within the next 12 months, as well as transport hubs like airports. In a statement, they say carrier-grade WiFi is set to "revolutionise the mobile computing experience for end-users".
Hayden Lamberti, business unit manager for Enterprise Mobility at Internet Solutions, says carrier-grade WiFi has the capacity to cope with the large data volumes commonly associated with high-density public locations like malls and transport hubs, while still enabling the consumption of rich media content like video, video chat, voice over IP, content sharing, social media and augmented reality.
"Users of carrier-grade WiFi will be able to access rich media content, or data-intensive enterprise applications while on the go, in a way that wasn't previously possible on standard public WiFi.
"For retail environments like Cradlestone Mall, this has the potential to open up a world of immersive, interactive shopping experiences for customers, and it will also allow them to share their experiences online in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Business users, on the other hand, will benefit from a high speed, reliable connection back into the company network to conduct faster, more efficient business while on the move," Lamberti says.
The companies have a pipeline of additional retail sites that we will be launching very soon, says Lamberti. He expects all feasible retail and transport hub locations to be equipped with this solution in the next nine to 12 months.
Interactive advertising
Lamberti says carrier-grade WiFi creates a "new sponsorship and advertising opportunity, and a rich content distribution channel for marketers". As a result, IS expects carrier-grade WiFi to become fully sponsored and therefore free to end-users.
The technology offers options such as paid-for content distribution, free bandwidth for clicking on landing pages, integrated online promotions, and other rich media push advertising opportunities, says Lamberti.
Lamberti adds different technologies can be incorporated to engage consumers. "Promo screens can be operated on the fly and updated with real-time information when they are connected to the Internet. This has the potential to create a more interactive public environment for shoppers."
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