Q-KON rolls out HotZONE in Swaziland
Nkosiphile Innovations, located in Manzini, operates under the hotspot of local communications services provider, Bulemba. The company has chosen to partner with Q-KON to establish and run a HotZONE in order to provide locals in Manzini with fast, secure and reliable wireless broadband connectivity.
The HotZONE has been a success and stakeholders are eager to add this resource to the computer labs at surrounding schools. The expectation is that learners will benefit from online resources that address logistical issues regarding availability of textbooks, stationary etc.
Institutions short-listed for the HotZONE implementation include St. Theresa Primary School, St. Theresa High School, Salesian Primary School and Salesian High School.
Phile Msibi, spokesperson for Nkosiphile Innovations, says the company is working in collaboration with another partner responsible for the construction and installation of computer labs, to establish the HotZONES. The technology facilitates a fast network infrastructure and has great potential for growth he says.
"It is very reliable and the bandwidth is available at whatever rate you want to operate," says Msibi. "Q-KON offers me the best service and their technical expertise is the best I have ever experienced."
What is a HotZONE?
HotZONES are high-tech Internet access points that are based on Wavion Wi-Fi technology to provide users with fast wireless Internet connectivity - at 512/ 4096 kilo bits per second. The solution incorporates several components. It offers Q-KON's que-Vi and que-X satellite access technology for Internet access to any location within West and Southern-Africa.
It includes a HotZONE Gateway that provides on-site control and authentication of users, based on voucher username and password. This ensures connectivity to all users regardless of user PC settings. The solution runs on a prepaid billing system. User access is administered by a centralised billing server that provisions access through the Internet. This server is configured with rates and commercial parameters for each HotZONE operator respectively.
It is also a flexible option in terms of user access to the Internet. Connectivity can be over standard cabled networks for fixed stations or via Wi-Fi wireless networks. Wi-Fi wireless hotspot networks are deployed using standard Wi-Fi access points that support all the functional requirements of a HotZONE.
Exposure to new technology
As such, Q-KON is promoting the exposure to new technology and market segments without needing major capital investment in new infrastructure by its VSAT resellers. The business model enables HotZONE operators to use the network with guaranteed income and no fixed expenses.
Management at Q-KON believes the concept paves the way for long-term, sustainable access to connectivity across the continent. As such the company is inviting partners to explore the service offering in more detail.
Hendrik Bezuidenhout, business executive at Q-KON Africa, adds that through the application of the company's technical expertise and the Wavion platform, a specialist provider of Wi-Fi coverage for schools, learners stand to benefit substantially from the project.
"This offering is a serious contribution to telecommunications infrastructure development and application across the continent. It addresses the need for reliable, cost-effective Internet service delivery and application in developing areas. It is versatile and robust, in addition to being practical. ICT literacy and relevant skills must be developed across the continent to make sure that it is able to keep up with global trends and benefit accordingly. It is the youth that have a very crucial role to play," explains Bezuidenhout.
