M-Web and ACSA connects travellers

Business travellers can now log onto their office networks from their own laptops while sitting in an airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

"WiFi's radio waves 'around a hotspot' allows anyone in the proximity with a wireless network card in their laptop to get online. WiFi is relatively easy to set up and offers a fast and reliable connection to users who are now able to access their e-mail and surf the Internet at times and in places that have been difficult in the past," says Russell Dreisenstock, Business Development Director at M-Web.

Says Dreisenstock: "ACSA has been running a test site at Johannesburg International Airport and we at M-Web are pleased to be their partner in rolling out this service. Travelling Internet users can pay for the service with their credit card, and M-Web members will be able to simply add this service to their M-Web account. A further subscription offer is available for non-members and a pay-as-you-go model will soon be added."

M-Web and ACSA are confident that by utilising M-Web's current billing relationships and experience, they are implementing billing models that will be the most effective. Says Rory Mackey, Group Executive: Commercial at ACSA: "We're offering our passengers a choice of payment options, providing them with the flexibility they need to choose what works for them. Guests travelling for only a short time in South Africa benefit from the pay-as-you-go method while regular business travellers can subscribe for convenience. We're committed to making South Africa's airports as sophisticated and user-friendly as possible."

M-Web is working closely with ACSA to ensure that the end users are informed of available security features such as facilitation of VPN establishment.

The introduction of new technology is not without regulatory challenges. M-Web has been working in close consultation with ICASA in order to clarify the regulatory requirements pertaining to the roll-out of WiFi services. "ICASA has adopted an extremely constructive attitude in dealing with these matters and do not want to be seen to be creating obstacles to the introduction of new technologies," says Richard Heath, Head of Regulatory Affairs at M-Web.

M-Web is currently engaged with the hospitality and conference industries, as both industries have regular travellers who carry laptops and require access to the Internet and their mail.