BRIGHTWAVE LAUNCHES FREE INTERNET ACCESS TO SOWETO RESIDENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

A recent market study conducted by BrightWave through Mott MacDonald, a market research agency, has revealed that broadband penetration in homes in Soweto (South Africa’s largest township) currently sits at less than 3%, compared to 65% in Johannesburg’s suburbs. BrightWave, as a broadband technology company believes that such a statistic is no longer acceptable, considering that it has been twenty one years since the dawn of democracy in South Africa. Access to the internet can no longer be viewed as a privilege that is afforded only to the elite few. The internet provides a window to the world by enabling one to readily access information, thereby freeing one’s mind. This is true freedom. BrightWave's mission is to enable freedom of the mind by helping to bridge the digital divide in South Africa through offering broadband for all. In line with our ‘Broadband for all’ vision, BrightWave recently launched the “Be Free” Campaign, which offers free access to the Internet through the BrightWave network for a limited period that ends at the end of July. Through the “Be Free” campaign, which consists of various packages which have been innovatively put together, BrightWave aims to rapidly increase the number of Soweto individuals and homes with access to the internet. By simply downloading the BrightWave app, which can be found on the App Store of any Android smart device, and joining the BrightWave Facebook community, a Soweto resident is immediately rewarded with 6GB of free internet. Recognizing the need for access to information among students, the “Be Free” campaign also contains the #YouGotThis package, which is specifically targeted at UJ Soweto students. Through the #YouGotThis package, a UJ student gets 20GB of free internet just for becoming a BrightWave subscriber. Then there is Home Connect, a package designed to give the entire Soweto family access to the internet, from the scholar who needs access to information to complete his / her homework, to the elder who can now conveniently run errands even as simple as buying electricity tokens online. Home Connect offers 30GB of Internet per month for the entire family, and is valued at R249, but is free for the duration of the “Be Free” campaign, which ends at the end of July. The BrightWave network currently has over 200 WiFi Hotspots throughout Soweto neighborhoods, and this will double to 400 WIFI hotspots before the end of July. BrightWave connected neighborhoods include: Diepkloof, Dlamini, Mofolo, Phiri, Orlando, Pimville and Meadowlands, to name a few. Consistent with its ‘Broadband for All’ vision, BrightWave’s aim is to ensure that all Johannesburg townships and other areas within the City will benefit from affordable, fast and reliable Internet in the ensuing months before embarking on a national roll out. BrightWave is a broadband technology company that offers a high-speed Internet that is reliable, affordable and accessible. BrightWave's mission is to help bridge the digital divide. We empower those previously left in the dark, lighting the way forward to a brighter future for all. BrightWave – Broadband for all.