Management at Q-KON, a provider of turn-key solutions and managed network services within the African telecommunications market, has established ‘HotZONES’, designated wireless hotspots that provide satellite-based Internet coverage.
A HotZONE is a Wifi-based hotspot solution that can be deployed anywhere within a satellite footprint. It works on a pre-paid voucher basis and the end-user can purchase a voucher at a HotZONE location, which will allow them to access the Internet using a Wifi-enabled phone or laptop.
The Q-KON platforms allow for dynamic bandwidth sharing and allocation between the various HotZONE sites. This means that bandwidth can be redirected dynamically to sites where more bandwidth is required, ensuring a cost-effective and lightning fast service to the end-users,” explains Johan Fuhri, Q-KON Africa Account Executive for Nigeria and West Africa.
“The way the business model is structured is to supply a basic startup kit that could be heavily subsidized to the partner. This kit is the starting point for a standard HotZONE, but it is designed to be easily expanded into a larger network and customized services, depending on the business requirements of the partner,” says Fuhri.
As one of the partners in the venture Q-KON will work together with the partner to set up, run and maintain the equipment used within these zones.
One of the key aspects of this venture is that Q-KON has provides the Ku-band platform upon which the Internet backbone is supplied.
The basic kit consists of Ku band VSAT terminal – antenna, modem, BUC and LNB – Access Control Router and Wifi Access Point. Q-KON also hosts and manages the RADIUS authentication server that controls access to the individual HotZONES.
In addition Q-KON will create and administer the prepaid vouchers.
“These will be sold at discounted rates to resellers and partners, who will then sell them on to consumers at their own HotZONES.
So we are promoting the exposure to new technology and market segments without needing major investment into new infrastructure on the part of our VSAT resellers. It will enable VSAT resellers to set up their own HotZONES and create additional revenue streams,” says Fuhri.
Staff writer
