Set to Hit the Top Five
South African telecommunications company, Net Nine Nine, offering premium fibre internet in the country with free installation, offering the highest and most consistent speed, is projected to outdo many Fibre Network Operator’s (FNO) by the year 2030.
Though not supported by scientific evidence or research, but the closed-access internet service provider is forecast to grow three folds in the next five years, and this will be slingshot by its way of operation, empowering the less fortunate in previously disadvantaged communities in townships and villages.
Research has it that South Africa has over 650 townships in its nine provinces while villages could be twice as many, and many of those are targeted by Net Nine Nine who are currently operating in eight provinces, and the rate of new builds is increasing at lightning speed.
HUAWEI GIVES NET99 THUMBS UP!
Chinese multinational corporation and technology company, Huawei, has rated Net Nine Nine highly on the continent with a significant presence in countries like South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia.
In the next five years, according to Huawei’s Senior Managing Consultant in Africa, Allen Gong, Net Nine Nine threatens to be among the top five FNO’s in South Africa, “if not top three”.
Flanked by his Huawei colleagues, Ashlee Imrith, Data Analyst, and Account Manager, Lukas Cavi, they unilaterally expressed their confidence in the FNO that it will show its competitors a clear pair of heels in the next 60 months.
PHYSICAL STORES KEY FOR NET99!
“I’ve moved places in South Africa and realised that some service providers are the worst. When I moved residential home not a long time ago, I had to suffer transferring my internet connection to my new place. My preferred operator in the area made me wait for one month. And the new one that ultimately connected me made to wait for two weeks. I don’t know the rules but I shouldn’t have agreed to their terms and ways of operation,” said Gong while visiting Net99’s KwaGuqa store in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
“With Net99, you get connected the next day if your paperwork is ready. This is just amazing, something that the people want. Having physical stores was a killer idea, it’s great that it grows confidence in your clients, the only challenge being taking cash. The stores are now at risk of security.”
Huawei has partnered with Net99 as a consultant, exploring townships and network operations with the sole aim of improving the infrastructure, an initiative that could help solve some of the teething issues with regards to network interruptions.
HUAWEI PARTNERS WITH NET99!
Gong said their infrastructure could even help in the recovery turnaround time to have it back online, and this will kill the frustration of network being restored depending on the causes of the outage.
He said Huawei was attracted to Net99 by its business model’s closed-access which is completely different to the rest compared to all the role players in this market in South Africa.
“The big FNO’s are more focused on the core market, but now they’re exploring townships. And this is the area that Net99 has already explored and excels in it. We want to understand Net99’s business model, and thereafter we will analyse the report that we will put together,” said Gong.
“Like in all countries across the world, businesses must be different. When every business or big player comes into the market then everyone wants to know what it brings to the people and the opportunities that it come with. That is our main purpose.”
He quipped that they would like to help Net99 with the latest technology and infrastructure that could be put in place and enhance the ISP’s performance for world-class service to clients, and this will help in marketing efficiency and connection ratio.
IDENTIFYING KEY AREAS AND NEED!
He added: “For the planning side, we need to understand this market first before we give input. We have to build a stronger understanding. For example, in KwaGuqa, Witbank, there is fibre, 5G and satellite connections. There’s a lot of overlay-ed business, but we need the criteria to prioritise. We need to know which areas are more interested in fibre and those interested in wireless solutions.
“After seeing the priority from the masses then we will give guidance to the planning and construction team on how to build the infrastructure. Otherwise, without such research and consultation, then it will be very difficult for the sales team and the take-up will be slow. We need to choose areas where the take-up rate will be fast. Our head office would like to see improvements and invest more for the future.
“For the marketing side, from my understanding, you’re doing quiet well. Most of the big South African internet service providers are using online channels, and some agents/offline channels use dealers. You have physical stores and partnerships with schools and local businesses. Your opponents promote wellness and not like you guys, which is more like promoting 4IR.”
Thank you Huawei for the great complement, we will be sure to d everything in our power to help get Africa connected to fast affordable internet, and if we hit the Top Five in terms of ISPs that will be the cherry on top of the cake.
