Telcos are now adopting innovative ways to offer value-based services and provide optimum solutions for their customers. This is part of their customer retention strategy to stay ahead of competitions. A recent example is a partnership between Poa! Internet and Fon to launch a free public Wi-Fi network across Nairobi and Kiambu. They deployed more than 3000 hotspots across Kenya with the launch of street Wi-Fi for subscribers.
The government of the Free State Province of South Africa has also taken up the initiative of providing internet connections for citizens. They have partnered with Cell C to provide faster and more reliable internet connections in underserved communities. They will roll out hotspots across all cities in the province.
See also: Huawei Takes Over Data Center and Smart City Projects in Kenya
Speaking about this recent development, the Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela said that they believe that internet access and digital literacy will bring about economic growth and development. The project will ensure that mobile network operators cut down the cost of data.
Cell C will be supported by Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi to provide fast, affordable and reliable internet access to the Free State Province. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed to that effect. Cell C’s CEO said he is excited to work with the Free State Province to execute the project. The project will allow the government to empower youths and entrepreneurs in rural areas, develop smart cities and smart tourism opportunities.
While details about the cost of deployment of Wi-Fi and the duration of the projects are still unknown, the project will deploy up to 20,000 skills transfer hours to youths across the province.
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