Free Wi-Fi in rural areas
NGO, satellite operator launch initiative
YOUTH in various rural parts of the Eastern Cape will now have access to the i nternet to help them start their own businesses and contribute to the area’s economic development through free Wi-Fi.
Project Isizwe, an NGO, says it is bringing free Wi-Fi to South Africa, connecting people for education, economic development and social inclusion.
The initiative is in partnership with SES, a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites.
The organisation launched a free Wi-Fi project in Lusikisiki and Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape last week to empower the youth there by giving them free access to information and education.
Zahir Khan, chief operating officer of Project Isizwe, says the Eastern Cape launch follows on the success of the Tshwane network that was launched in November 2013 and has since grown to more than 660 000 users at about 575 sites.
“As we are celebrating Youth Month during June, it is important to remember how important it is for the youth in South Africa – and especially those in rural areas – to connect with the world for training and learning purposes. By opening the doors to the world through giving them free access to the internet, we are giving them opportunities to become employable and contribute to the economic development of the province.”
He says youth unemployment figures in rural areas are especially high due to lack of education and training.
He believes the best and quickest way to find information about education and training is the internet.
“We are excited to be involved in another free Wi-Fi project that will enable rural communities to connect.”
Project Isizwe partnered with SES to bring free WiFi to the Eastern Cape.
Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, senior vice-president of SES Commercial in Africa, said satellite technology was one of the key elements enabling the service because of its extensive coverage.
“Also, building fibre or wireless backhaul infrastructure to connect unserved areas like Lusikisiki is very capital intensive, which is why the satellite link is so competitive. SES has the global infrastructure in place to rapidly deploy these kinds of services and this is the reason SES could assist Project Isizwe so quickly to achieve their goals,” he said.
The free Wi-Fi at the Ingwe TVET College’s Mount Frere and Lusikisiki campuses make it possible for the Department of Education to deliver internet access to campuses and to the surrounding areas, Guimba-Saidou says.
Khan said the Eastern Cape was also the ideal place to test the system because “it is as rural as you can get”, but also densely populated.
Until it could be solved there, connectivity would always be a problem.