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Mamaila Community Network To Be The First Community-Based Internet Service Provider In Limpopo.
Zuri Foundation will after the national lockdown launch the first community-based internet service provider in Sekgosese area, just outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo in the name of Mamaila Community Network.
The network will arguably be the first community-based initiative in Limpopo that provides affordable and quality internet services.
Prior the outbreak of #COVID-19 in South Africa, the foundation in partnership with Mamaila Tribal Authority, Kichose Telecoms, ISOC Gauteng and Zenzeleni Community Network hosted a workshop; learning exchange on community networks at Mamaila Tribal hall in Mamaila village. The workshop was about inducting Mamaila Project Steering Committee and also to facilitate a learning exchange with the British High Commission mentees mentored by Zenzeleni Community Network.
In the process, the vision of Mamaila Community Network was shared with Steering Committee and discussed their roles and responsibilities in order for committee members to provide support to the initiative and to ensure that their villages participate in the project.
“Our main focus is in digital infrastructure, specifically the creation of WI-FI hotspots and the provision of educational content as well as digital skills development targeted at rural communities”, said Modjadji Magoro, the founding member of Zuri Foundation.
In South Africa, the impact of the digital divide is mostly felt by citizens in rural provinces. Therefore, it is for reason why Zuri Foundation aims to reduce the cost of communications and internet connectivity for marginalized communities in Sekgosese that are located on the periphery of the telecommunication infrastructure such as fiber and ADSL.
“Zuri Foundation aims to bridge the rural digital divide by promoting and advocating for deployment of community networks infrastructure as a sustainable alternative to connect the unconnected. Mamaila Community Network will close the digital divide by providing affordable and reliable connectivity to communities within Mamaila Tribal Authority and beyond”, said Magoro.
She further said they aim to establish a mobile media centre and digital media hub in order to create a sustainable ecosystem for the Zurifi network.
During the pilot phase, the Foundation provided free access to internet including access to online educational content such as the Khan Academy.
Currently they are on expansion phase of the network that requires the construction of a telecommunication tower in order to ensure that the project meets all the technical requirements as per lessons learned from the pilot project. The construction of the core infrastructure will enable Mamaila Community Network to deliver high speed internet connectivity to Mamaila six villages and beyond.
The workshop was supported by Kichose Telecoms, Zenzeleni NPC, ISOC Gauteng, Powerron Agriculture Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Mamaila Tribal Authority.
Rising To The Challenge Of Solving The Connectivity Gap Between Rural And Urban Areas.
The Challenge
Kichose Telecoms, in partnership with Zuri Foundation and GDK ISP, took on the project of deploying high-speed broadband internet to the small and under connected village of Mamaila in Limpopo. To ensure the success of the project, Kichose Telecoms knew they needed a reliable, but affordable solution that would be able to provide stable fibre-like throughput to keep up with the connectivity demands of the village. ‘’We aim to provide a sustainable solution that will help us address the connectivity gaps that exist in under-serviced, remote and rural areas around the world.’’ – Pardon Mabunda, CEO, Kichose Group
The Solution
After considering their different options, Kichose Telecoms decided to go for the Mimosa Networks Micro-POP fibre-like network architecture. In order to deliver the solution professionally and on time, Kichose Telecoms required a reliable industry leading value-added distribution partner to assist with the pre- and after sales support as well as the local compliance and stock availability –this is when they turned to MiRO, a distributor of Mimosa Networks’ solutions with extended expertise in fixed wireless broadband.
Due to the lack of infrastructure within the village, MiRO suggested a hybrid-fibre-wireless network as a long-term solution that would help Kichose Telecoms bridge the internet connectivity gap between rural and urban areas.
‘’We were more than happy to partner with MiRO, they are a cutting-edge wireless IP convergence company and a project of this magnitude compliments their key mission of empowering communities. Their assistance is professional and they committed themselves 110% to help us achieve the success of this project.’’- Pardon Mabunda, CEO, Kichose Group MiRO suggested the Mimosa Micro-POP solution with the main wireless base station made up of the A5c wireless access point with a 45 degree Mimosa antenna. Buildings or clients, will connect to the Mimosa Micro-POP using the Mimosa C5x radios and modular antennas. This solution delivered great noise rejection and fibre-fast wireless internet speeds without the hassle and costs of trenching and laying fibre.
To ensure the success of this project Kichose Telecoms attended a Mimosa technical training at MiRO’s Gauteng Branch. This one-day hands-on technical training covered the basics of setting up the Mimosa access points and also took a closer look at the capabilities of the solution.
‘’After the deployment, we received great feedback from the community and it has been nothing but smooth sailing so far. There are currently three hotspots available to members of the community but we aim to expand the network even further and roll it to the schools and health facilities within the village.’’- Pardon Mabunda, CEO, Kichose Group
Summary
Mimosa’s industry-leading approach to hybrid-fibre-wireless networks is enabling service providers like Kichose Telecoms, to
connect under-connected areas. Their wireless broadband solutions can help extend coverage and improve services to customers at a fraction of the cost of existing FTTx solutions.
About Kichose Telecoms
Kichose Telecoms, a division of the Kichose Group, is a South African based telecommunications service provider that
offer customised communication services to SME’s, enterprises and government organisations. They are a one-stop
technology service provider, offering a wide variety of services ranging from IT Support Services all the way through to Broadband and Internet Services.