TNM partners Government in free public Wi-Fi

TNM Plc has partnered Malawi Government to provide free Wi-Fi in selected public places across Malawi over a three-year period.

The initiative being implemented by the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) under the Digital Project Malawi will lead to the setting up of 30 Wi-Fi hotspots at locations which include schools, libraries, hospitals and markets. Users will be given 120 Mega Bytes (120MBs) for browsing each day with an option to buy more.

Speaking during the contract signing ceremony in Blantyre, Acting Chief Executive Officer for Public Private Partnership Commission, Audrey Mwala said the initiative will benefit students and allow them to perform better as they access the latest information at their schools and libraries. People in hospitals will also be able to connect with their loved ones and those in markets will be able to do business online.

TNM Chief Information Officer Peter Munthali said the engagement of TNM Plc in the project was a seal of approval from the Malawi Government, through PPPC, of TNM’s capabilities to offer reliable and efficient Free Public Wi-Fi to targeted public institutions.

“We feel honored for this recognition. As a pioneer telecoms company in Malawi with end to end solutions which provide for all telecommunication needs, TNM is geared up to the task of ensuring targeted communities enjoy a seamless user experience in all the 30 Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Munthali.

He noted that provision of new technologies such the Free Public Wi-Fi needed to be matched with provision for more affordable devices on the market: “As we push to go digital, we will continue to engage Government on possible options aimed at bringing down the cost of internet enabled devices.”

Munthali said on its part, apart from introducing an affordable smartphone (kaiOS 4G phone) on the market at K24,999, TNM has also partnered commercial banks to give their mutual customers a ‘smart lifestyle’ through mobile device purchase on loan to bring the world at their fingertips.

To increase high speed internet availability at low cost, TNM Plc as a champion of digital technologies recently also  partnered the world’s technology giant Facebook, to roll out public access Wi-Fi hotspots in the country, under the Express Wi-Fi service.

TNM Express Wi-Fi is designed to complement mobile data offerings by providing a low-cost, high bandwidth alternative for getting online. On Express Wi-Fi users can access the internet, utilize their apps, download and also stream content. Anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device can access the TNM Express Wi-Fi network at an Express Wi-Fi hotspot or retailer and purchase a daily, weekly or monthly data pack.

To sign up to the Express Wi-Fi service, a customer needs to open https://tnm-mw.expresswifi.com on their mobile device browser and register for the service. First time users will get a free 100MB of data that can be used at any TNM Express Wi-Fi hotspot location. You only have to sign up once and get access to all available hotspots nationwide.