Fibre ISP Net Nine Nine drives Internet access for all in South Africa
Image caption: Net Nine Nine CEO Albert Oosthuysen
With South Africa quickly migrating to and becoming reliant on digital networks, new entry in the telecommunications company, Net Nine Nine, is fighting for its space in an industry that would soon be the world’s means of communication.
The Global Digital Insight data released earlier this year revealed that there were 45 million internet users in South Africa at the start of 2024, with internet penetration at 75%. South Africa was also home to 26 million social media users in January 2024, equating to 42% of the total population.
In his address to parliamentarians in July this year, new Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, said the government is preparing to connect 21 878 government sites (Health: 4232; Schools 16139; traditional authorities 937; libraries 570) with free internet access over the next 36 months.
With the government having adopted policy frameworks regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) as part of its interest, Net Nine Nine CEO, Albert Oosthuysen, admitted that they have readied themselves for the challenges ahead.
“It’s amazing that the 4IR is one of the key focus points for our government. The lack of access to connectivity and the resulting digital divide is a serious problem in a world where those without access can’t compete for work and opportunities. In South Africa, the problem is very big and needs everyone to help bridge the gap – government and private sector alike,” he said.
In the past two years, the fast-growing internet connectivity company, which uses fibre connectivity as a backbone to explore the many ways previously disadvantaged areas can connect to the outside world, has seen significant growth and taken wing in secluded townships and villages where the communities never imagined owning fast reliable internet of their own.
According to him, the business had a rocky start and at one point they were not sure if the hypothesis for the business plan was going to work out, but a few changes and additions to the team brought fresh ideas and perspectives, and Net Nine Nine’s key metrics improved beyond what was initially expected.
He credits his entire team for knuckling down and committing to the cause and expressed his gratitude for their strong determination to stay competitive in the game and laser-focused on customer service. Oosthuysen projects that they’ll do the same growth in the next 6 months that they’ve done in the last 2 years, so they’re really starting to scale up. “Our next target is to connect over 1.5 million homes and we’re well on our way”
Competitors have come in with lower pricing, he said. “But it’s usually for a short period of time like a promotion, and it usually comes at the cost of a decline in service.”
“We started the business plan from the ground up. We determined early on at what level pricing should be and what type of service we’d like to provide, then we worked back from there. Lower prices to customers meant Net Nine Nine needed to lower its input costs like network build and operating costs,” says Oosthuysen
Net Nine Nine’s client service is also drawing attention as a newcomer to the telecommunications space. Connecting to less privileged areas meant that a face-to-face approach was necessary and, Net Nine Nine’s stores have appeared across the network for clients to get real-time assistance from staff that Net Nine Nine employs from the local areas. They’ve opened 11 stores so far, one in each region.
“Net Nine Nine uses local contractors alongside some of our more experienced contractors to build the networks and do installations. So, wherever we go, there are more hands to make the dream possible, and we continue to make sure that skills are passed down to the community. Some of our previous local contractors have become the experienced contractors that move with us to the next area to train up the new contractors, so it becomes an amazing domino effect.”
So far, Net Nine Nine has connected over 20 schools with free internet connectivity, and they are still working on ensuring more schools within their network coverage enjoy the service without paying a cent.
“This is a permanent solution for schools, as we intend on enhancing their educational aspirations by assisting them with access to multitudes of educational channels online. We’re aware of the exorbitant data prices in South Africa. Thus, we’ve made this service free for educational institutions in the hope that we can assist in enriching the educational experience for the youth in South Africa,” he indicated.
“We believe that it’s our responsibility to ensure that, whenever possible, we are uplifting our community members through work opportunities and partnerships with local SMMEs, other community members and government officials. If we can unify our efforts with all the local stakeholders, we can have a more meaningful impact within these communities.”
Click here for more information about Net Nine Nine.
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