IS to be service provider for ACSA airports

Internet Solutions has won the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) tender to provide exclusive broadband and telephony for eight airports nationally in the public internet services domain.

The deal was the culmination of several months of tendering, planning and discussions aimed at ensuring that all ACSA airports can provide world-class services to both local and international travellers, especially in light of the upcoming FIFA 2010 World Cup.

The deal includes a number of different technology sets including WI-FI (wireless access), fixed line internet access, Voice over IP (VoIP), telephony and internet caf√© terminals in the respective airports. Installation has already commenced with a R1-million investment into infrastructure at the King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu-Natal. ‚We are delighted about the deal, winning this tender against big names in the industry confirms IS’s success in being the leading supplier of internet and telephony in this country,‚ says Justin Spratt, General Manager of Wi-Fi and VOIP Mobile at Internet Solutions.

‚A great deal of work is being done in South Africa’s top three airports namely: O.R. Tambo, Cape Town International and the newly built King Shaka International Airport. Points of Presence (POP) are being installed in all three airports with King Shaka International being the first,‚ he adds.

‚The tender will afford us the opportunity to install WI-FI, fixed line internet access, VOIP ‚ mobile VOIP and fixed line and internet work stations for public and business use. The internet workstations will be placed at public areas as well as at the airport lounges for regular travellers,‚ says Spratt.

Internet Solutions will also be responsible for connecting internet and telephony to the businesses at the airport. ‚Businesses operating within the airports will be provided with internet and telephony connectivity through a turnkey solution,‚ he concludes.

The tender will be backed by commercial agreements to be negotiated and signed separately between IS and ACSA and include deadlines and initiatives that will ensure reliable and fast connectivity.