Internet service provider POA has announced the completion of Kenya’s largest public Wi-Fi network with the deployment of more than 3,000 hotspots across Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
Dubbed UKO poa Wi-Fi, it will majorly favour subscribers in low-income and rural communities in and around Nairobi. They include Kibera, Jamhuri, Kawangware, Kangemi, Kabiria, Waithaka, Racecourse, Kinoo, Dagoretti, Kikuyu, Kiambu, Ting’ang’a, Kirigiti, Ndumberi and Githunguri.
UKO poa can also be used by non-broadband subscribers at prices far lower than ‘traditional’ data bundles. For these pay-as-you-go users, the Wi-Fi network, at speeds of up to 2Mbps, offers unlimited volumes of data for just Sh10 an hour or Sh50 a day.
“Our aim is to at least save consumers at least half the cost of buying internet and end the tradition of counting MBs. They can stream or download files as large as they like, opening up the Internet to far richer use at a far lower cost,” said CEO of Poa! Internet Mr Andy Halsall.
The new integrated network is courtesy of Poa!’s partnership with global Wi-Fi solutions provider Fon, making it the first partnership in East Africa for Fon.
“We realized that if we were truly going to deliver a step-change in access to the Internet in Kenya, we needed to innovate and build new business models around next-generation technology,” said Andy Halsall.
“Fon developed the Wi-Fi sharing model that now dominates the Internet landscape in the West. Wi-Fi sharing access points provide Internet in homes and on the streets of many developed nations, and we are proud to bring this technology to East Africa,” he added.
“High-speed home broadband with free access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots and low-cost unlimited internet access on the street for those who can’t afford a home connection is transformational in bringing affordable internet to all Kenyans.”
The low-cost Internet Service Provider has more than doubled its coverage areas and speeds in the last half year and has announced that it will be adding over 30 new area networks in the first half of 2019.
