The Facebook Express Wi-Fi platform will help Cell C bring fast, affordable and reliable internet access to the South African public and the partnership with UWC marks Cell C’s first steps to rolling out Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.
“As an innovative business, Cell C is continuously looking for ways to bring affordable, super-fast Internet access to South Africans. This partnership with Facebook is an ideal way to ensure that we live up to that commitment,” says Cell C CEO Douglas Craigie Stevenson.
Facebook and Cell C have a long-standing partnership, with Cell C being the first mobile operator in SA to offer FreeBasics. FreeBasics provides South Africans with access to basic services – such as communications tools, health information, jobs sites and education services – without data charges. “We are excited that Express Wi-Fi is available to people in South Africa through our partnership with Cell C,” says Guy Mordecai, Product Lead for Express Wi-Fi at Facebook. “Express Wi-Fi represents the evolution of that partnership, helping to build, operate, grow and monetise Cell C’s Wi-Fi business in a sustainable and scalable way.”
Rollout across the City of Cape Town will provide access to anyone within the public Wi-Fi areas. More areas will be announced once the City’s municipality has approved additional rollout areas. This follows the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between Cell C and the City in 2018.
“The internet is a space where people can connect and learning can take place. Having this free service accessible to tertiary students can help their learning journey and that’s why we’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year with Cell C and look forward to expanding this feature as they plan to roll out a similar service at sites across Cape Town,” says Dan Plato, Executive Mayor of Cape Town.
