Vodacom is set to become the first cellular company in the world to lead the mass market to the Internet, making Internet access available to its subscriber base before the end of the year.
"While cellular telephony remains our core business, this development marks our transition from South Africa`s leading cellular company to leading communications company. Where the emphasis on Vodacom`s network is currently on voice communication, the scope for an increase in data communication is unlimited," Vodacom Group MD Alan Knott-Craig said here yesterday.
"Four years ago this was our long-term vision, which is why we chose the name Vodacom. It stands for `Voice and Data Communication`. The only difference is that we have moved along this development curve much quicker than expected.
"Vodacom will use its powerful brand name and its well established retail infrastructure to market Internet access as a value added product to our subscribers. Given our huge subscriber base which is expected to reach 750 000 by year-end, this should swell the numbers of the current 300 000 Internet users considerably. An additional 200 000 Internet users over three years is not unrealistic.
"Vodacom`s entry as an Internet role player will spearhead the large-scale vertical integration of information mediums such as e-mail, cellular telephony, Internet, SMS, data and fax. This opens up a host of opportunities for Vodacom partnerships with corporates, financial institutions and business in general, which we are exploring through our Business Solution Delivery teams. The number of niche products that can develop from this platform is unlimited," Mr Knott-Craig said.
One of the latest products to be launched on this platform, an e-mail telephone, was also unveiled today.
Vodacom said its Internet PoP modems will be connected to the data communication backbone infrastructure of its network, which currently carries Yebo e-mail traffic and SMS.
The PoP`s connected to Vodacom`s infrastructure will offer mobile users added services such as automatic log-on, higher mobile transmission speeds and fast connections. With the fixed-line connections users can also connect at higher transfer speeds with conventional modems.
"This would offer Vodacom subscribers fixed-line and cellular phone access to the Internet, reinforcing our drive towards an integrated communication company," Mr Knott-Craig said.
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