[kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users

[Joan Walumbe]

Thanks Alex for the info,

This is actually a great idea. Would you have a contact number or email address for Alunite? 

Joan Walumbe
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alex Gakuru 
  To: Kictanet 
  Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 8:57 AM
  Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet forSMEs and Home Users




  Alex Gakuru <gakuru at gmail.com> wrote:
    Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:51:01 +0300
    From: "Alex Gakuru" <gakuru at gmail.com>
    To: ke-internetusers at bdix.net
    Subject: [ke-internetusers] Free PC and cheap Internet for SMEs and Home
    Users

    [This brightens a new dawn for Kenya's connectivity. I have often
    argued that lesser city traffic jams and higher national productivity
    can be achieved by taking internet outside the city centre, Nairobi
    currently having 80% of Kenya's internet. Many are bound to choose
    working from home to save on expensive city office rent overheads and
    "outsourcing" will definitely benefit considering the time differences
    become less of a problem, security is also a consideration.

    Forecasting on this possibility at a stakeholders workshop on 22 March
    2007, I warned that it would only take "one clever ISP" to realise
    this enormous small business and home user waiting market away from
    the current "corporates-only" internet (used between 8am to 5 pm and
    half-days on Saturdays which drops at lunch-time. (see the first graph
    at http://www.isoc.or.ke/connectivity.html - website under
    development)]
    -----------------------
    [Business Daily]

    ISP targets home users with free PC's
    Written by Okkutah Mark
    Monday, 23 April 2007 [NAIROBI]

    While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) target corporate users,
    one new entrant into the online market is banking on capturing
    residential, small and home business users with a unique offer: a free
    computer.

    The company, Alunite, says most Kenyans would love to be connected to
    a high-speed DSL Internet connection from home, but the lack of
    affordable personal computers, and high bandwidth costs have kept most
    out of the loop.

    Lucy Kimani, the ISPs executive director said Alunite was partnering
    with Kenya Data Networks (KDN) and Keysde, a local company involved in
    computer assembly in which Keysde will provide PCs, under a guarantee
    that the ISP settles the bill within 90 days.

    KDN will provide the DSL linkage to it's Metro optical fibre.

    "As an ISP we are linking the home subscribers to the KDN's link which
    will provide them with a high-speed connection," said Ms Kimani. "We
    also realised that a majority of people don't own computers, and
    that's why we looked how we could solve this problem."

    The deal does come with a catch though. In exchange for a free
    computer, subscribers must sign a one-year agreement to subscribe to
    Alunite's Internet sevices, which cost 5,945 per month.

    The computer-an Intel Pentium 1.2 Ghz PC-retails for Sh10,300 in local shops.

    But Ms Kimani said it was more than just a freebie.

    "We eliminate the hassle of dealing with a separate connectivity
    provider and provide attentive customer service," she said. "Our
    company coordinates all aspects of the installation of the service
    including site inspection."



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