Vodacom Business has developed WiTaxi, a free in-taxi connectivity service, in conjunction with Netstar, a vehicle monitoring and telematics services provider and wholly owned subsidiary of Altron.
As a result of this agreement, passengers can connect their own devices to free Wi-Fi on board throughout their daily excursions, allowing them to make the most of their time in transit by getting work done or remaining in touch with loved ones.
The in-transit link addresses safety concerns for taxi owners, drivers, and commuters alike, lowering risk due to the platform’s ability to map out road hazards such as potholes, traffic, and accidents.
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How the free Wi-Fi services work
Netstar’s telematics devices, which are now deployed in Toyota minibus cabs, may also function as Wi-Fi hotspots. There are already over 3,200 cabs equipped with these devices, and that number might rise to over 48,000 by the end of the year. Commuters who have access to the internet may utilise the time to catch up on their favourite programmes, check in on social media, or even do work-related tasks.
“In order for commuters to gain access to free Wi-Fi with a high download speed, they are required to watch a short advertisement lasting 15 seconds.” According to WiTaxi’s Managing Director, Brian Mdluli, “This is an untapped and exciting opportunity for SMMEs to generate maximum impact and unlock economic activity by connecting with approximately 15 million people.”
The necessary network infrastructure has already been set up, so users of the WiTaxi app may easily connect to the free Wi-Fi. Users get free, unlimited access to up to 1GB of daily data transfer capacity over a secure network.
“Leveraging connectivity to create new revenue streams for entrepreneurs, taxi drivers, and fleet owners at a time when business owners are looking to turn problems into new possibilities is how we take the industry and country further together,” says Mzimba.
Vodacom’s involvement is an extension of their mission
“The technology provides a wide range of advantages for passengers, drivers, and operators, including improved comfort, communication, and security. As we go further into the digital era, access to the internet has become a must for many aspects of civic life. As Fraser summarises, “South Africans are becoming increasingly cognizant of the potential benefits of connected technologies, and we must ensure that we evolve in tandem with market expectations.”
Vodacom’s involvement in developing the future taxi via this cooperation is an extension of their mission to put the unbanked and underprivileged of South Africa online. This collaboration is also an important step towards bridging the digital divide by making the benefits of digital technology accessible to a larger population.
Also, Vodacom aspires to establish a rewards system connected to this network via its flagship app, VodaPay, which is in keeping with its mission of connecting people together for the greater benefit. This will not only provide commuters access to a richness of content, but it will also make their life easier by eliminating the need for currency transactions and giving them a chance to convert challenges into opportunities by doing things like purchasing while on the go earning rewards.
