Internet Solutions, MWEB and ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) today announced a joint venture that will see these market leaders developing WiFi hotspots at major, high-traffic retail and hospitality venues throughout SA.
With SA lagging far behind the world`s hotspot leaders with less than 100 public hotspots, the successful piloting of ACSA`s WiFi hotspot programme at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban international airports over the past two years confirmed exceptional demand for the service. The subsequent benefit derived from well-established systems and its strategic role in the travel and retail industry have positioned the joint venture well to take advantage of this WiFi hotspot growth opportunity.
ACSA therefore went in search of suitable, best-of-breed business partners through an open tender process that ran in June.
"Internet Solutions and MWEB`s collective ability to bring to the joint venture in excess of one million users, world-class infrastructure support systems, industry experience and marketing capability made them the perfect choice. Furthermore, their reputation for reliability and service quality is highly regarded. Together we are capable of satisfying the needs of a substantial South African consumer base," says Nico Pretorius, ACSA Manager: Network Infrastructure.
"We are delighted to be partnering with ACSA and Internet Solutions on this project to deliver a reliable and affordable service," says MWEB General Manager, Russell Dreisenstock. "MWEB is known for its ability to embrace the real advantages made possible by new technology and deliver it to its members in a user-friendly, cost-effective manner; WiFi is a perfect example of this."
Hillel Shrock, Internet Solutions Director, is equally excited about the partnership. "We`ve put considerable effort and resources into our move into the mobility space," he says, "forming a new business unit earlier this year which is focusing on all aspects of mobility requirements. Taking on WiFi at this level provides our own customers with additional services, regardless of their location as they move around the country. No doubt we see the provision of WiFi hotspots as a value-add to our existing corporate services."
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Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model, subsequently becoming the only full network service provider in the country.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 10 year life span IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the virtual private network and application service provider space.
Internet Solutions has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, Financial Mail Best Company to Work For and a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, BT and AT&T, and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
Web address: www.is.co.za
ACSA
ACSA`s WiFi hotspot pilot programme was based on the understanding that airports are points of convergence where travellers are required to spend a fair amount of time. Recent years saw ACSA aggressively implementing a focused strategy of transforming its international airports into what it has coined aerocities, offering much more than just the required aviation services.
In today`s highly competitive and technologically superior business arena, where borders and barriers no longer exist, business travellers are allowed convenient, constant access to a mobile office, enabling them to work anywhere, anytime.
At present, extensive coverage is available in the departure hall retail areas and at all departure gates of all three international airports as well as most of the airline business lounges. The InterContinental Airport Sun boasts in-room, foyer and meeting room Internet access.
The tariff structure currently in place at ACSA hotspots will continue to apply with the addition of a very competitive subscription service for regular users. An added benefit to users is that time not used, is credited and can be used at any other participating joint venture hotspot. Customers will therefore be able to connect and roam at any joint venture hotspot with either their subscription accounts, prepaid or credit card purchased "air-time".
Since it began operations ten years ago, ACSA has succeeded in transforming a fragmented bureaucratic state-owned enterprise into a focused, profitable commercial organisation that is market driven and service-oriented. Where the taxpayer previously subsidised airports` operation, ACSA has earned the state more than R3 billion in dividends, taxation and share sale revenue and has invested more than R3 billion in fixed assets since 1995. Today ACSA also represents a valuable investment to Aeroporti di Roma, which has a 20% shareholding in ACSA, and various South African investors who own 4.2% of the company.
Web address: www.acsa.co.za
MWEB
MWEB, SA`s leading provider of Internet services, has pioneered developments in the local industry since its launch in 1997. Since its inception, MWEB has delivered premium, reliable Internet products and services to SA`s consumers and leading businesses. In addition to providing a professional, quality service, MWEB focuses on making the Internet easy for its members, which include approximately 250 000 residential Internet and small business members and blue-chip corporate clients.