Access to the internet has become a basic necessity for most people today. It is no longer a luxury but an essential part of our daily lives.
Unfortunately, this necessity is not accessible to everyone, especially those living in underserved communities. The high cost of data and the lack of reliable internet connectivity are major impediments to education, business registration and making a living for people living in these communities.
But TooMuchWifi, a Cape Town-based internet service provider (ISP), is on a mission to change this.
The 7-year-old company recently announced that it has slashed its data prices so significantly that customers can now get 24 hours of unlimited internet access for just R5 using a daily hotspot voucher.
This move is aimed at making internet access available to everyone, regardless of their income.
The company has also introduced an unlimited monthly hotspot voucher for R120, a price drop of up to 70%, while the prices of weekly vouchers have been reduced from as much as R100 to just R30, another price reduction of 70%.
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The move to lower prices is in line with the company’s vision to improve connectivity for underserved communities. TooMuchWifi currently services over 40 low-income communities across the Western Cape, with a customer base of 400 000.
However, the company’s newly appointed CEO, Tauriq Brown, has bigger plans. According to IOL, he wants to expand across the country and, in time, internationally.
‘We believe it’s our duty to help those that need it most, and this is a sentiment we share with our investors,’ says Brown.
‘Being able to access the internet for 24 hours for the price of a R5 voucher can change the game for many, many more individuals or business owners and improve their quality of life and access to opportunities.’
The company’s efforts to bridge the digital divide are already bearing fruit. Anshu, a Spaza shop owner and TooMuchWifi reseller, says: ‘Having an internet connection keeps you connected to the rest of the world. You’re able to stay up to date with the latest news and trends and talk to family and friends.’
The high cost of data in South Africa is a major issue that affects millions of people. According to the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2022 Report, South Africans pay 134% more for data than any of the other BRICS nations.
In 2021, 7.5 million low-income South Africans were paying 80 times more than middle- and upper-income earners for access to the internet.
TooMuchWifi’s move to lower data prices is a step in the right direction towards making internet access available to everyone.
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Picture: TooMuchWifi / Facebook