Google Inc. expanded its Wi-Fi initiative to Nairobi, Kenya, announcing a partnership with East African-based Wananchi Group to launch the Wazi W-Fi service covering parts of the city.
The service is currently available at a shopping center, providing users with free Wi-Fi access for the first ten minutes. Customers can also purchase full day and monthly passes using credit cards or local money solutions including M-PESA, Airtel Money and PesaPal.
“We are having discussions with local businesses to explore expansion plans,” said Richard Bell, CEO of the Wananchi Group, in a statement. “We see big opportunities in using Wi-Fi technology for mobile data offloading 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.”
Aptilo Networks is also part of the collaboration providing its service management platform and policy control through its cloud services offering.
Analysts have noted that Kenyan operators are currently looking to develop new revenues stream from data services as new entrants into the market has resulted in falling voice revenues. Carriers are currently using 3G-based services, with some looking to begin trialing LTE-based services.
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