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BT and Coke To Offer Free Rural Wi-Fi In South Africa Through Vending Machines
An anonymous reader writes "BT Global Services is installing free Wi-Fi access points in Coca-Cola vending machines in rural parts of South Africa. "South African consumers will soon be able to quench their thirst and check their e-mail at the same time. Coca-Cola and BT Global Services have announced plans to offer free Wi-Fi Internet access in impoverished communities using Coke’s vending machines. BT – formerly British Telecom – will provide connectivity, support and business training as part of the roll-out. The pilot project has been launched in the rural Eastern Cape and in rural Mpumalanga. Sites were chosen for their accessibility to local communities, the companies said."
They'll run the project to rave reviews for years, then suddenly replace all the 2.4 Ghz access points for 5 Ghz-only ones.
Only a small percentage of people will enjoy the new service, and everyone else will complain about how they can't use their 802.11b and older 802.11n devices on it. Then they will begin running the old routers in tandem. Users will be able to pick them up under with the SSID "Classic".
Eventually the 5 Ghz routers will be decommissioned and no one will speak of them again.
I don't know man. The internet really sucks without coke...
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
Extremely low density of vending machines in the US. Now, Japan...
I'm just surprised they didn't do a system where there's a code on the side of the can good for something like an hour's access. Would drive sales nicely.
'Don't worry' said the trees when they saw the axe coming, 'The handle is one of us.'
Nooit, lekker! Ja, on my way in my bakkie right now, stuck by a robot. Will set up a braai by the bokkie machine as soon as I get there and enjoy the wifi without paying a buck for the kif. Let's hope the reception isn't all kak.
That doesn't mean Coca cola can solve those problems.
Actually they can. See http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/25/coke-applies-supply-chain-expertise-to-deliver-aids-drugs-in-africa.html
Basically coke success has been built on it's supply chain. It can deliver coke to nearly anywhere in the world. That supply chain expertise is being tapped to deliver various other medical essentials to remote places as well.
Proof that wi-fi, or coca-cola, or both, gives you cancer.
That terminology is not exactly politically correct in ZA. I believe the correct term is "Wifi internet access point".
Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
If they'd stuck with the original formula that contained traces of cocaine, of course...
In South American regions coca is available over the counter in dry leaf form (for mastication during highland walks) and in tea bags, obviously at lower concentrations than the white powder rich folks snort.
Coke doesnt cause obesity any more than chocolate cake does. Consuming a lot of those certainly might cause obesity, however.
people don't usually eat 3 slices of chocolate cake every day though, or casually eat chocolate cake while sitting at their desk, then going and getting another slice when the first one is gone.
I think the point is that people shouldn't be drinking coke like it's water; so in effect coke itself doesn't cause obesity, the overconsumption does. Cola is a great beverage if you've neglected to eat or drink for three quarters of a day and your legs won't stop shaking when you stand up. Drinking a single can of coke'll get your strength back up for long enough to get yourself something actually nutritious to eat or drink.
I was wondering why BitTorrent was teaming up with Coke to offer free rural wifi...
Actually, in the areas we're talking about, people would be much better off drinking Coke than water - the reduced risk from waterborne disease far outweighs the negatives from the sugar.
...and, while we're at it, the caloric intake of the sugar is probably a plus as well.