Agri SA and AliSom Communications, a Vodacom national partner, have joined forces to bring cellular and Internet services to farming communities and agri businesses.
According to Agri SA, the partnership aims to provide rural farming communities with world class communication systems. AliSom will assist the farmers with cutting-edge technology in the cellular, data and Internet space,so that they will not need to go through a call centre to resolve queries, acquire new services or upgrade existing packages.
Zayne Ramos,dealer division manager at AliSom, says the ICT infrastructure solutions provider will offer a wide variety of Vodacom products such as mobile, data and fixed-line facilities, including detailed business solutions, and Internet connectivity.
"We will offer fibre access, and leased line access solutions to serve the needs of farmers that require the higher reliability and speed benefits of a dedicated business connection. We will also offer managed microwave network access solutions to provide high-capacity business connectivity, satellite services and more," he explains.
These services, adds Ramos, will be provided through the very small aperture terminal (VSAT), which is based on a satellite system and works best in cases where more traditional methods of communication are problematic due to difficult access.
"Through VSAT technology, farming communities and agri businesses can gain quick and high quality access to Vodacom's managed SAP services, voice over internet protocol services and cloud monitoring services in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northwest, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and other parts of the country," adds Ramos.
Agri SA says farming entities must use technology to sustain their businesses and therefore require efficient telecommunication technology.
The organisation believes agriculture is a critical sector to stimulate economic and rural development and in signing this agreement, the companies will also contribute to the Agri Securitas Trust Fund, to improve the safety of the farming community.
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