SMEs to benefit from VPN offering

By Staff Writer for Telkom

Johannesburg, 11 Dec 2007

Telkom has released VPN Lite, a virtual private network (VPN) package aimed at small business users.

The package accommodates a maximum of 20 sites and Telkom says customers will be billed according to the amount of bandwidth used.

"VPN Lite is an off-the-shelf solution, which will enable customers to access a Web portal to self-configure their VPN. Tutorials and frequently asked questions will be available to customers configuring their VPN," says Pierre Marais, Telkom managing executive for network infrastructure provision.

According to Marais, VPN Lite is a multi-protocol label switching-based Internet Protocol VPN, an alternative to VPN Supreme. "Where VPN Supreme is targeted at larger businesses that require a customer-specific process, VPN Lite provides a general solution for those businesses with simpler needs."

VPN Lite will be sold with data bundles similar to the cellular packages in SA, he notes. "VPN Lite 20GB will allow a customer 20GB per month from all sites at a discounted rate; any usage above the 20GB limit will be charged at the standard rate. The number of sites will not affect the customer`s bill."

Telkom says the product will initially use ADSL all-round as a medium of access. However, the company says it has also tested WiMax to work with VPN Lite and plans to add other access technologies and hosting services in future phases of the product.

Telkom says the package will be available in three forms: VPN Lite 20GB, VPN Lite 40GB and VPN Lite 80GB. "The billing items for the offering include activation cost, which is once-off, usage, standard rate usage and downgrade penalty. There is no charge for an upgrade," explains Marais.