Telkom subsidiary Openserve will open its Wi-Fi network to other internet service providers (ISPs) as it seeks to boost its coverage in areas where it is not commercially viable to deploy fibre infrastructure. It will pilot its wholesale Wi-Fi network offering in selected townships before the end of 2018. Speaking on the sidelines of the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (Satnac) conference in Europe, Openserve CEO Aphonzo Samuels said the company would work with township-based ISPs to resell its wholesale Wi-Fi network to end-users. While he will not provide further details of speed and pricing, Samuels says the offering will be competitive with better speeds than those of other companies. Telkom has thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in shopping malls and selected restaurants. It will now add Wi-Fi to its wholesale open-access offerings to complement its fibre network. "There is definitely an opportunity for Wi-Fi as an alternative means of connectivi...

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