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Google and Wananchi Group Launch New Wi-Fi Product in Kenya With Aptilo Networks
Wazi WiFi Network Explores High Speed, Low-Cost Wireless in Emerging Markets
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 30, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Wananchi Group [http://wananchi.com/home/index.html ], in collaboration
with Google [http://www.google.com ] and wireless data service management
company Aptilo Networks [http://www.aptilo.com ], have today announced the
launch of Wazi Wi-Fi [http://www.waziwifi.co.ke/index.htm ], a high-speed
wireless broadband network in Nairobi, Kenya. This bolsters the company's
efforts to explore business models that can sustain high speeds and low cost
Wi-Fi in emerging markets.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-a )
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-b )
The network already delivers affordable, high-speed internet access at
Nairobi's Junction Shopping Mall area. The service is free for the first ten
minutes of use per day on each device. Users can then purchase a single day
pass for Shs.50 per device and Shs.500 for one month per device.
Customers can pay for the service online using credit cards or local
mobile money solutions including M-PESA, Airtel Money and PesaPal.
"We are having discussions with local businesses to explore expansion
plans. We see big opportunities in using WiFi technology for mobile data
offloading [http://www.aptilo.com/solutions_mobile-data-offloading.htm ] and
providing high speed unmetered access away from home. The African region has
always been ahead with mobile data services, and the rapid uptake of newer
affordable smartphones and tablets keeps driving up the demand for data
capacity on the move," says Wananchi Group CEO Richard Bell.
Wazi WiFi utilises the Aptilo Service Management Platform for service
management and policy control. The platform facilitates easy and scalable
service delivery, administration and monitoring. Wazi Wi-Fi is being
delivered via Aptilo Cloud Services(TM), a hosted solution that meets rapid
time to market and time to revenue objectives.
"The internet is a powerful source of information. Wazi Wi-Fi is part of
our broader goal in Africa; to get more users online, to reduce internet
access barriers and to help develop a vibrant internet environment,"
commented Euan Guttridge, Technical Program Manager, Emerging Markets,
Google Sub Saharan Africa. "Bit by bit, the web in Africa is helping to
transform communication and open up new economic opportunities."
"Capabilities for gathering statistics and reporting are key components
of the Aptilo solution for Wazi Wi-Fi, as they will allow Wananchi and
Google to monitor use and tailor service delivery to meet the needs of
users," said Zakaria Bennani, Director Sales, Europe & Africa, Aptilo
Networks. "We are proud to work with Wananchi Group, BelAir and Google in
furthering their mission in making internet accessible in Africa."
NOTES TO EDITOR:
About WANANCHI
The Wananchi Group, established in 2007, is the leading provider of
cable and internet services in Eastern Africa. As Africa's pioneering
provider of "triple play" (broadband, TV, VoIP) with a cable network passing
40,000 Kenyan homes, Wananchi Group is positioned to become the premier
media operator in the region.
Wananchi's consumer brand, Zuku, offers the modern African consumer
fresh, innovative and affordable options for entertainment and
communication. There are currently three commercial products under Zuku,
namely; Zuku TV (DTH satellite TV covering 12 countries), Zuku Triple Play
(a bundled cable offering of TV, high speed broadband & VoIP) and Zuku Biz
(our cable SME offering).For more information about our products, please
visit our Web site at http://www.zuku.co.ke
About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks is the global leader in pre-integrated management
solutions for control of billing, user services and access in Wi-Fi,
WiMAX(TM) and LTE networks. Aptilo's solutions have been deployed in more
than 50 countries. For more information, please visit
http://www.aptilo.com.
For further information please contact:
Hillary Call
Public Relations Manager
Aptilo Networks AB
c/o Call Communications
P: +917-414-9262
hillary.call@aptilo.com
Ann Nderi
Account Director
Tell-Em Public Relations (EA) Ltd
For Wananchi Group
P: +254-722-217-692
ann.nderi@tell-em-pr.com [vata.nganda@ke.wananchi.com ]
Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-b
Source: Aptilo Networks AB
.
Google and Wananchi Group Launch New Wi-Fi Product in Kenya With Aptilo Networks
Wazi WiFi Network Explores High Speed, Low-Cost Wireless in Emerging Markets
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 30, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Wananchi Group [http://wananchi.com/home/index.html ], in collaboration
with Google [http://www.google.com ] and wireless data service management
company Aptilo Networks [http://www.aptilo.com ], have today announced the
launch of Wazi Wi-Fi [http://www.waziwifi.co.ke/index.htm ], a high-speed
wireless broadband network in Nairobi, Kenya. This bolsters the company's
efforts to explore business models that can sustain high speeds and low cost
Wi-Fi in emerging markets.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-a )
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-b )
The network already delivers affordable, high-speed internet access at
Nairobi's Junction Shopping Mall area. The service is free for the first ten
minutes of use per day on each device. Users can then purchase a single day
pass for Shs.50 per device and Shs.500 for one month per device.
Customers can pay for the service online using credit cards or local
mobile money solutions including M-PESA, Airtel Money and PesaPal.
"We are having discussions with local businesses to explore expansion
plans. We see big opportunities in using WiFi technology for mobile data
offloading [http://www.aptilo.com/solutions_mobile-data-offloading.htm ] and
providing high speed unmetered access away from home. The African region has
always been ahead with mobile data services, and the rapid uptake of newer
affordable smartphones and tablets keeps driving up the demand for data
capacity on the move," says Wananchi Group CEO Richard Bell.
Wazi WiFi utilises the Aptilo Service Management Platform for service
management and policy control. The platform facilitates easy and scalable
service delivery, administration and monitoring. Wazi Wi-Fi is being
delivered via Aptilo Cloud Services(TM), a hosted solution that meets rapid
time to market and time to revenue objectives.
"The internet is a powerful source of information. Wazi Wi-Fi is part of
our broader goal in Africa; to get more users online, to reduce internet
access barriers and to help develop a vibrant internet environment,"
commented Euan Guttridge, Technical Program Manager, Emerging Markets,
Google Sub Saharan Africa. "Bit by bit, the web in Africa is helping to
transform communication and open up new economic opportunities."
"Capabilities for gathering statistics and reporting are key components
of the Aptilo solution for Wazi Wi-Fi, as they will allow Wananchi and
Google to monitor use and tailor service delivery to meet the needs of
users," said Zakaria Bennani, Director Sales, Europe & Africa, Aptilo
Networks. "We are proud to work with Wananchi Group, BelAir and Google in
furthering their mission in making internet accessible in Africa."
NOTES TO EDITOR:
About WANANCHI
The Wananchi Group, established in 2007, is the leading provider of
cable and internet services in Eastern Africa. As Africa's pioneering
provider of "triple play" (broadband, TV, VoIP) with a cable network passing
40,000 Kenyan homes, Wananchi Group is positioned to become the premier
media operator in the region.
Wananchi's consumer brand, Zuku, offers the modern African consumer
fresh, innovative and affordable options for entertainment and
communication. There are currently three commercial products under Zuku,
namely; Zuku TV (DTH satellite TV covering 12 countries), Zuku Triple Play
(a bundled cable offering of TV, high speed broadband & VoIP) and Zuku Biz
(our cable SME offering).For more information about our products, please
visit our Web site at http://www.zuku.co.ke
About Aptilo Networks
Aptilo Networks is the global leader in pre-integrated management
solutions for control of billing, user services and access in Wi-Fi,
WiMAX(TM) and LTE networks. Aptilo's solutions have been deployed in more
than 50 countries. For more information, please visit
http://www.aptilo.com.
For further information please contact:
Hillary Call
Public Relations Manager
Aptilo Networks AB
c/o Call Communications
P: +917-414-9262
hillary.call@aptilo.com
Ann Nderi
Account Director
Tell-Em Public Relations (EA) Ltd
For Wananchi Group
P: +254-722-217-692
ann.nderi@tell-em-pr.com [vata.nganda@ke.wananchi.com ]
Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110830/477770-b
Source: Aptilo Networks AB
.