Management at Q-KON, an established engineering group and provider of turnkey solutions and managed network services within the African telecommunications market, has committed to join partners in a venture to establish 'HotZONES' or designated wireless hotspots that provide satellite-based Internet coverage.
A HotZONE is a Wifi-based hotspot solution that can be deployed anywhere within a satellite footprint. It works on a pre-paid voucher basis and the end-user can purchase a voucher at a HotZONE location, which will allow them to access the Internet using a Wifi-enabled phone or laptop.
As one of the partners in the venture, Q-KON will work together with the partner to set up, run and maintain the equipment used within these zones.
One of the key aspects of this venture is that Q-KON provides the Ku-band platform upon which the Internet backbone is supplied.
The Q-KON platform allows for dynamic bandwidth sharing and allocation between the various HotZONE sites. This means that bandwidth can be redirected dynamically to sites where more bandwidth is required, ensuring a cost-effective and lightning-fast service to the end-users,” explains Johan Fuhri, Account Executive Nigeria & West Africa at Q-KON Africa.
“The way the business model is structured is to supply a basic start-up kit that could be heavily subsidised to the partner. This kit is the starting point for a standard HotZONE, but it is designed to be easily expanded into a larger network and customised services, depending on the business requirements of the partner,” Fuhri explains.
The basic kit consists of Ku-band VSAT terminal (antenna, modem, BUC and LNB), access control router and WiFi access point. Q-KON also hosts and manages the RADIUS authentication server that controls access to the individual HotZONES.
In addition, Q-KON will create and administer the prepaid vouchers. “These will be sold at discounted rates to resellers and partners, who will then sell them on to consumers at their own HotZONES.
So we are promoting the exposure to new technology and market segments without needing major investment into new infrastructure on the part of our VSAT resellers. It will enable VSAT resellers to set up their own HotZONES and create additional revenue streams,” Fuhri continues.
For more information and the opportunity to set up a HotZONE, contact Johan Fuhri at jfuhri@qkon.com.
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Q-KON
Q-KON is a South African-based engineering group that provides turnkey solutions and managed network services to the emerging African telecommunications market. With more than 200Mbps from six teleports over seven satellites using five different VSAT technologies, combined with engineering expertise, Q-KON has repeatedly delivered innovative wireless and satellite solutions to meet the demanding business and user needs of the emerging African markets.
For the last 20 years, Q-KON has followed successful strategies to establish advance technologies in challenging environments to unlock real business benefits for all. Effectively integrating its commanding capability in wireless and satellite technologies with an intuitive understanding, appreciation and respect of the African market, Q-KON management has conquered many business impossibilities.
Since its inception, Q-KON has distinguished itself in providing solutions and services supported by long term relationships and continued value-add. Today, Q-KON can proudly look back at 20 years of engineering achievements throughout Africa, underwritten by sound business practices and long-term ethical relationships.
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