MWeb, which is in the midst of forming a joint venture with Internet Solutions (IS), has partnered with Lanseria International Airport to deploy WiFi at the precinct.
The partnership was unveiled in Lanseria, north of Johannesburg, yesterday. Speaking at the event, Nathier Kasu, GM of MWeb WiFi, said the WiFi at the airport is uncapped, and the company expects each traveller to use as much as 350MB at a time.
Kasu noted the WiFi will be free for the first 30 minutes, but travellers will pay R10 an hour after that. He explained the company's journey of deploying WiFi started two years ago, where it implemented WiFi zones in Cape Town and in Soweto.
Gavin Sayce, CEO for Lanseria International Airport, added modern passengers now insist that Internet access should be available everywhere at international airports, be it for business or leisure. In many cases, it makes travel-related administration easier as well.
"The availability of MWeb WiFi at our airport will offer improved connectivity and new options for users with heavy data needs, or with multiple devices," he said.
Dion Chang, Flux Trends founder and oft traveller, has found WiFi has become a commodity with the rise of business leisure travellers and business nomads, who expect WiFi hotspots everywhere they go.
"The first thing I do when I get to a hotel is to ask for the WiFi password, as well how much it will cost me. I expect there to be WiFi that is seamless, as I will often plug in my device and start working.
"Having this WiFi zone available enables these kinds of travellers, who just want to get to the airport, check in and get some work done, the option to do so," Chang said.
Kasu says the company plans to launch WiFi zones in other transport systems, such as the bus and train systems in Gauteng. "In future, we plan to extend our reach into Park Station and the Gautrain system, as those are the hubs for bus and train travellers," reaching further into the underserved WiFi population.
The launch comes a few months after MWeb and IS said they would launch a new company - WirelessCo - which will combine WiFi network assets from Dimension Data-owned WiFi provider AlwaysOn, together with MWeb's WiFi assets, and will be 51% owned by Dimension Data.
The balance will be owned by MultiChoice, which is contributing MWeb's assets. The new entity, which still needs to go through the regulatory process, aims to fill SA's need to be connected everywhere.
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