Freedom International has contracted ICL and its Internet service provider (ISP) division EJECT as its Internet infrastructure and connectivity partner in a contract valued at R10 million.
The Freedom NetCentres selected ICL from a shortlist of four global players who will supply between 60 to 100 workstations kitted with the latest Fujitsu Siemens PCs with the latest technology 15-inch flat screens. As Freedom International`s chosen partner, ICL will provide the turnkey infrastructure solution, encompassing a complete design. ICL will also build and maintain the technology.
Internet and PC access will be offered on a prepaid card system that will allow users to carry over any surplus time for their next visit.
"Utilising best-of-breed platforms from Microsoft, Cisco and Fujitsu Siemens, ICL was able to satisfy the requirements demanded by the Freedom business model in delivering an innovative solution," explained Freedom International co-founder Fidel Jonah.
The first Freedom NetCentre has opened in the Durban city centre. This is a first for the African continent, with a total investment of R10 million for a total of three NetCentres.
"Each centre will cater specifically for individuals who have felt the brunt of the digital divide between the West and Africa due to the prohibitive costs of hardware, software and connectivity," he explained.
"Our vision is to provide the cheapest Internet and computer access for Africa`s emerging markets and increasingly entrepreneurial youth pivots around two words - commoditise and convenience. We aim to provide the hardware, software and connectivity at an affordable price in order to create knowledge and hence educate and uplift the broader, lower income population," added co-founder Richard Jonah.
"The market is becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of technology but do not have the economic ability to purchase their own equipment," he noted.
"We are targeting those people who may need a PC or a specific software application to further their career, studies or generate an income. There will be a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial empowerment," he explained.
"While we believe the centres will provide an increasing number of SMMEs and student population with cheap access to information as well as other business services, the centres have to be accessible in terms of geographic positioning and more importantly, be managed by individuals who are able to provide training at a level where many of our customers may not even have a formal education," he concluded.
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ICL South Africa, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Services Plc (Formerly ICL Plc), is one of the leading IT services companies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It has an annual turnover of lb2.4 billion (EUR3.9 billion), employs 15 500 people and operates in over 30 countries. It designs, builds and operates IT systems and services for customers in the financial services, telecoms, retail, utilities and government markets.
Its core strength is the delivery of IT infrastructure management and outsourcing across desktop, networking and data centre environments, together with a full range of related services, from infrastructure consulting through integration and deployment.
Headquartered in London, Fujitsu Services is the European-centred IT services arm of the Fujitsu Group. The Fujitsu Group is a $38 billion (about EUR43 billion) leader in customer-focused IT systems and services for the global marketplace.
Prior to April 2002, Fujitsu Services operated as ICL.
Web site: services.fujitsu.com
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