Low-cost internet made available in remote areas

"Everybody talks about it but nobody is doing it," says Vox Tickybox head, Paul Muller. "We've developed a business model that enables us to deliver high-quality satellite bandwidth to remote areas at a cost that's actually affordable enabling internet access as well as VoIP telephony, faxing etc."

As part of the initiative the company has partnered with engineering and IT specialists to develop a containerised Communications Centre that can be set up anywhere within days.

Connectivity, a catalyst for investment

"Internet connectivity can be a catalyst for a lot of additional investment, job opportunities and education," says Muller. "Because the facility is modular and prefabricated you can easily add new units: a print shop, a training room, a call centre, a telemedicine clinic or a school computer lab."

One of the first such sites has been set up in Esikhaweni near Richards Bay, in partnership with the Dube Traditional Council. "It's a 45-seat remote computer learning centre, internet café, call and fax shop with first-class telco infrastructure," says Muller.

The model is very different from the container-based call shops that are ubiquitous in many of South Africa's townships, says Muller. "The prefabricated units are made with ChromaDek coated sheet steel and incorporate sophisticated server and telco systems. It's not just a place for making calls."