Launched in 2013, the initiative seeks to connect government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities, and underserved communities to fast and reliable internet.

As part of the programme, the government aims to deliver full broadband coverage by 2030, ensuring that every South African, regardless of location, can participate in the digital economy.

But as the government works on longer-term broadband infrastructure projects, like SA Connect, there is a significant opportunity for ISPs to fill these connectivity gaps.

Introducing the hybrid carriers

In the past, a company might specialise in offering fibre networks, and that’s the only field they played in. But this has changed.

To compete, you need to expand your offerings. This trend is driving the rise of hybrid carriers; service providers that find other ways to connect communities.

Hybrid carriers and ISPs are companies that combine multiple connectivity technologies or service models to deliver internet access more efficiently and affordably, especially in areas where a single approach falls short.

These hybrid players are usually smaller than the more traditional telcos, and they’re able to succeed by servicing the more isolated and underserved communities.

They’re typically more agile and can deploy modern connectivity solutions at pace. This agility also allows them to experiment with innovative service models that might be unfavourable to larger, more traditional providers.

Fibre companies like those mentioned above face multiple obstacles in deploying new infrastructure to remote township communities, such as obtaining demand and intent confirmation and securing municipal approval. The time and cost associated with digging or erecting fibre lines is another barrier.

Couple this with the reality that many of these communities are unbanked and have constrained disposable income, which limits their ability to sign on for debit payments and what they can afford to spend on data or subscriptions.

Additionally, smaller user bases and lower ARPU (average revenue per user) mean that the financial return on these infrastructure investments is typically far lower.

The business case for Community Wifi 

Underserved South African communities alone represent R26 billion in annual spending power, much of which remains disconnected from digital commerce and services.

Across these underserved areas, community Wifi has the potential to empower people by allowing them to connect to the Internet.

In action, a Community Wifi model will see subscribers buying prepaid vouchers that they can use to get online at different Wifi hotspots across their community, be it their local supermarket or the cafè down the road.

For a small fee of around R5 or R10, community members can access the Internet for a day as they move about connecting to different hotspots across their community.

For a fibre operator, offering this additional service makes good business sense because the average person might not be able to afford their fibre services, but can afford to connect for a small daily fee.

Now, this single fibre point might be servicing a few hundred people, and that small daily fee equates to a positive return on investment. In this way, they’re able to make money where fibre isn’t a good fit, while also driving digital inclusion because the solution is more affordable.

In addition to fixed and hotspot coverage, hybrid carriers also represent the next frontier in MVNO growth, with many ISPs leveraging their existing presence in underserved communities to roll out mobile services.

This omni-service approach ensures that providers are able to service their customers at home, at their destination and anywhere in between.

While expanding your service offerings opens up new business opportunities, it can also increase billing complexity. Many OSS (Operational Support System) / BSS (Business Support System) vendors offer billing software that caters to a specific type of billing, but few are equipped to meet the complex and evolving needs of hybrid carriers.

To scale effectively, hybrid telcos need flexible, integrated billing systems that can support their growing needs and cater to multiple disparate services, like mobile (MVNO), fixed line, fixed wireless and fibre, as well as the voucher inventory, distribution and redemption requirements associated with community WiFi or prepaid mobile.

Across our portfolio of products and services, VAS-X remains committed to supporting providers looking to bridge the digital divide with capable and cost effective solutions.

Carefully engineered and designed, the Haptique RS90 represents a significant innovation, offering an unique fusion of functionality, elegance, and performance.

Supporting infrared, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, Haptique RS90 seamlessly integrates with third-party smart home platforms and offers control over 3000+ commonly used devices via infrared.

“In today’s world, haptic technology serves as a vital bridge between the digital and physical realms, enriching user experiences with tactile feedback,” says Willis Desai, Founder & CEO of Cantata Communication Solutions.

The Universal Remote: Elevating Smart Living to New Heights

At the heart of the Haptique RS90 lies a great vision: to seamlessly unite and simplify the control of smart home devices. Operating across infrared, WiFi, and Bluetooth spectrums, this commendable device grants users unfettered access to their entire smart ecosystem with a single, intuitive interface. 

With support for over 3000 commonly used devices over infrared, the Haptique RS90 heralds a new era of comprehensive control.

User-Friendly Design: Redefining the Paradigm of Control

Built as a standalone IoT marvel, the Haptique RS90 seamlessly integrates with third-party IP systems, redefining the notion of effortless control. Its intuitive architecture transcends technical complexities, welcoming users of all proficiencies to indulge in the art of smart home orchestration, without the burden of convoluted setups or additional peripherals.

All-in-Control: Rediscovering the Art of Physical Interaction

In a world enamored with touchscreens, the Haptique RS90 pays homage to the timeless allure of physical buttons. Purposefully engineered and meticulously arranged, these tactile marvels offer a symphony of sensory feedback, elevating user confidence and satisfaction with each press. With a bespoke UI and intuitive layout, the Haptique RS90 delivers swift, one-touch mastery over entertainment and smart home realms alike.

Crafted by Masters: An Ode to Precision and Expertise

The Haptique RS90’s genesis is rooted in the collective wisdom of AV professionals intimately familiar with the intricacies of modern-day smart living. Guided by a relentless pursuit of perfection, the Haptique RS90 emerges as a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence.

Empowering Users: Embracing Possibilities, Enabling Dreams

From seasoned professionals to ardent enthusiasts, the Haptique RS90 beckons all to unlock the boundless potential of smart living. With a cornucopia of customization options and pre-defined activities, users are invited to sculpt their digital domains with unparalleled finesse and flair.

Unrivaled Performance, Unparalleled Elegance

Crafted with precision and passion, the Haptique RS90 embodies the epitome of sophistication and durability. Born in the hallowed halls of WIPO l Hague, its sleek aluminum chassis exudes timeless elegance, while its Silver and Gunmetal Grey finishes stand as tributes to refined taste and discerning sensibilities.

Powerful Enough: High Performance from ARM SoC

The Haptique RS90 offers a high-performance processor with options for Quad Core or Octa Core ARM, providing users with robust computing power. The RS90 comes with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of flash memory, while the RS90X model upgrades to 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of flash memory. 

Both models support dual-band WiFi, with the RS90X capable of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. Bluetooth connectivity is also advanced, with the RS90 featuring Bluetooth 4.1 + BLE and the RS90X featuring Bluetooth 5.0 + BLE.

Fingerprint recognition and infrared reader capabilities are exclusive to the RS90X, enhancing security and control options. The devices support a variety of ways to operate, including a 3.2-inch touchscreen panel and 24 physical buttons, ensuring versatile user interaction.

Specifications

The Haptique RS90 is powered by a QUAD CORE ARM CORTEX A7 processor, while the RS90X utilizes an OCTA-CORE ARM CORTEX A53 processor. Memory options include 1 GB for the RS90 and 2 GB for the RS90X, with corresponding flash memory of 8 GB and 16 GB. WiFi support is robust, with the RS90 operating on 2.4 GHz and the RS90X supporting dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. 

Bluetooth connectivity is advanced, with the RS90 featuring Bluetooth 4.1 + BLE and the RS90X featuring Bluetooth 5.0 + BLE. Both models include microphones for audio input and speakers for audio output, with ABS plastic backlit keypads and gravity acceleration sensors. 

The RS90X additionally supports fingerprint recognition and includes an infrared emitter and reader. Battery capacity is 2000mAh for the RS90 and 2400mAh with fast charging support for the RS90X. 

Display options include a 3.1-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen with 480×800 pixels for the RS90 and a 3.1-inch OLED capacitive touchscreen with 480×800 pixels for the RS90X. Both models feature USB Type-C ports for charging and firmware flashing, with supported systems including Android 8.1 for the RS90 and Android 12 for the RS90X.

Cantata focuses on delivering exceptional products and services, incorporating the latest advancements to meet customer needs. With a diverse product line enhancing leisure and comfort, Cantata ensures tailored solutions for every client. Committed to empowering customers, Cantata is set for ongoing innovation and growth.

Availability

Haptique RS90 is currently available for pre-order through a crowdfunding campaign. As an early bird supporter, the unit can be secured starting at €240. As the company exceeds its targets, prices will be subject to change.

We all know that public WiFi networks are less secure because you have no idea who else is using them or who set them up.

But how secure is your home WiFi network? Have you taken the time to check that the necessary security protocols are in place to keep your home network secure or do you just rely on the fact that the person from your service provider who set everything up did so with security in mind?

This is an important question to answer when you consider how many different devices we connect to our home WiFi every single day.

From smartphones to security cameras – devices that criminals can use to check if you’re home or that could allow the wrong people to access your credit card information or online banking credentials. And if you work from home, WiFi-related security vulnerabilities can also be a threat to confidential corporate data. But where do the risks lie?

Well, if you freely dish out your WiFi password when different people visit your home, you’re only increasing the likelihood that a  hacker could gain access to your network or that one of these visitors clicks on a sinister link and opens you up to greater security-related risks. Similarly, if you live in an environment where homes are very close together – be it a townhouse complex, an estate or block of flats – you could be vulnerable to bandwidth theft if your WiFi network isn’t secured properly. In this scenario, your tech savvy next-door neighbour might be able to access your WiFi and start using your network without your consent.

Prevention is better than cure

We often approach security, be it online or physical, by only ramping things up after an incident because this event highlights its importance.

But this is not the right approach.  If you think it’s too much hassle to change your WiFi password or put one or two additional layers of security in place, just imagine the hassle you’ll have to endure to recover stolen funds or to explain to your boss why sensitive company information was leaked. Below are a few simple things you can do to up your WiFi security game right now.

Set up guest WiFi 

Today, one of the first things family and friends ask when visiting your home is: “what’s the WiFi password?” But allowing everyone to connect to your network can be a problem.

By setting up a guest WiFi network,separate to your primary network – you’re making sure that visitors can connect without compromising the safety of your home devices.

Consider a VPN

Customers looking for an extra layer of protection might consider a virtual private network or VPN. A VPN protects your online activity by redirecting your Internet connection through a secure server so that your IP address and online activity is hidden.

The benefit of this is that anyone trying to spy on you or access your private data won’t be able to move beyond the VPN’s encryption protocols.

Choose a strong WiFi password

Most WiFi routers come with a default password. If a hacker knows your router manufacturer, guessing the default password is easy enough.

This is why it is so important to change your password and, when you do, make sure that your new wireless network password includes numbers, letters and special characters so that it’s harder for hackers to crack.

You’ve probably heard this story about the importance of choosing a strong password before but it really is one of the simplest things you can do to secure your network in a matter of minutes.

It’s all about making sure that your network is harder to break into than your neighbour’s because hackers will always take the route of least resistance.

[Featured Image Credit]

Now cybercriminals can use compromised Wi-Fi routers in cafes, airports hotels and other public places to potentially infect more Android smartphones with the Wroba.o malware.

ALSO READ: Top Internet Service Providers in Nigeria 2023

At the moment, the new technique targets users in South Korea, but it can be soon implemented in other countries as well. 

Roaming Mantis (a.k.a Shaoye) is a cybercriminal campaign first observed by Kaspersky in 2018. It uses malicious Android package (APK) files to control infected Android devices and steal device information.

It also has a phishing option for iOS devices and crypto-mining capabilities for PCs. The name of the campaign is based on its propagation via smartphones roaming between Wi-Fi networks, potentially carrying and spreading the infection.

New DNS changer functionality to attack more users via public routers

Kaspersky discovered that Roaming Mantis recently introduced a domain name system (DNS) changer functionality in Wroba.o (a.k.a Agent.eq, Moqhao, XLoader) – the malware that was primarily used in the campaign. DNS changer is a malicious program that directs the device connected to a compromised Wi-Fi router to a server under the control of cybercriminals instead of a legitimate DNS server. On the malicious landing page, the potential victim is prompted to download malware that can control the device or steal credentials.

At the moment, the threat actor behind Roaming Mantis is exclusively targeting routers located in South Korea and manufactured by a very popular South Korean network equipment vendor. To identify them, the new DNS changer functionality gets the router’s IP address and checks the router’s model, compromising targeted ones by overwriting the DNS settings. In December 2022, Kaspersky observed 508 malicious APKs downloads in the country.

An investigation of malicious landing pages found that attackers are also targeting other regions using smishing instead of DNS changers. This technique employs text messages to spread malicious links that direct the victim to a malicious site to download malware onto the device or steal user info via a phishing website.

According to Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) statistics in September – December 2022, the highest detection rate of Wroba.o malware (Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Wroba.o) was in France (54.4%), Japan (12.1%) and the U.S. (10.1%).

“When an infected smartphone connects to ‘healthy’ routers in various public places like cafes, bars, libraries, hotels, shopping malls, airports, or even homes, Wroba.o malware can compromise these routers and affect other connected devices as well. The new DNS changer functionality can manage all device communications using the compromised Wi-Fi router, such as redirecting to malicious hosts and disabling updates of security products. We believe that this discovery is highly critical for the cybersecurity of Android devices because it is capable of being widely spread in the targeted regions”, says Suguru Ishimaru, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky.

In order to protect your Internet connection from this infection, Kaspersky researchers recommend the following:

• Refer to your router’s user manual to verify that your DNS settings haven’t been tampered with or contact your ISP for support.
• Change the default login and password for the admin web interface of the router and regularly update your router’s firmware from the official source.
• Never install router firmware from third party sources. Avoid using third-party repositories for your Android devices.
• Further, always check browser and website addresses to ensure they are legitimate; look for signs such as https when asked to enter data.
• Consider installing a mobile security solution, such as special security solution, to protect your devices from these and other threats.