Uganda’s Volo has launched today to enable ISPs in emerging markets to provide high-bandwidth at an affordable price. Volo says it offers a cloud-based automation platform for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deploy fixed wireless broadband services using radically low-cost last-mile Wi-Fi networking technologies.The firm says it uses a vendor-neutral platform to help ISPs to deliver and support affordable high-speed Internet access to their thousands of users.According to Volo investor and telecom entrepreneur Jim Forster in a statement,“Just like any business in North America or Europe, businesses in Africa and other emerging markets want to be profitable, and provide the best products and services to their clients. While much of Africa has some Internet access, what’s missing is reliable, fast Internet connections so companies can use the high-bandwidth products that make them more competitive,” “Volo is enabling ISPs to use radically lower cost technologies to deliver high-speed fixed broadband, especially for small and medium enterprises, complementing mobile broadband for consumers. Higher bandwidth equals higher revenue potential.”
It’s cloud-based platform which will be released later this year, automates the ability for ISPs to deploy fixed wireless broadband using radically low-cost last-mile Wi-Fi networking technologies. This integrated software platform simplifies how ISPs design and manage fixed wireless networks, set up and provision services, and serve and bill customers.
The firm plans to serve ISPs in 60 emerging markets that are on the precipice of massive growth in data usage, yet lack critical last-mile infrastructure outside the capital cities. Volo has begun raising a seed round of funding. Investors and advisors to the company include industry leaders from the tech, energy and telecom sectors.
The firm plans to serve ISPs in 60 emerging markets that are on the precipice of massive growth in data usage, yet lack critical last-mile infrastructure outside the capital cities. Volo has begun raising a seed round of funding. Investors and advisors to the company include industry leaders from the tech, energy and telecom sectors.
Almost 50% of the world’s population is projected to be online by 2017 and most of that growth is coming from emerging markets according to The Cisco® Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast (2012-2017). Volo aims to make it possible for ISPs to launch high-speed Internet services in weeks, not months, at a fraction of the cost of their competitors and also help their own ISP customers be more profitable, scalable and have more successful business structures.
“With Volo, the future of wireless is here. Until recently, building infrastructure was expensive and time-consuming, making it hard for ISPs to scale and leaving businesses in emerging markets stuck with glacially slow connection speeds,” says Volo co-founder and CEO Mark Summer. “Now, Volo is delivering the tools and expertise so that ISPs can deploy broadband services in weeks, maintain lower operational costs and scale more effectively.”
The firm says it will provide Silicon Valley quality, high-speed broadband service for businesses and organizations in and around Gulu, Uganda with 1Mb or more. This market gap, combined with unprecedented regulatory reforms driving better access to fiber and lower market entry costs and new carrier grade last-mile Wi-Fi technologies makes it easier to start and scale broadband ISPs today than ever before.
