Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      MultiChoice: We can’t afford to compete without help

      17 July 2025

      The internet’s weakest link is under the ocean

      17 July 2025

      AI misuse shakes South African courtrooms

      17 July 2025

      Boom gates go hi-tech at South African malls

      17 July 2025

      Megayachts and mansions: the lavish life of 80-year-old Larry Ellison

      17 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » French Wi-Fi giant in SA debut

    French Wi-Fi giant in SA debut

    By Duncan McLeod5 June 2014
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp
    Ellie Hagopian
    Ellie Hagopian

    French carrier Wi-Fi specialist Nomosphere, part of the Nomotech Group, has announced plans to expand in South Africa. It will open a subsidiary in Johannesburg, its first office outside France, as it looks to take advantage of an expected boom in Wi-Fi demand in Africa.

    Wireless Access Providers’ Association deputy chair Ellie Hagopian, who is co-founder of customer intelligence software company Viento and former CEO of Wi-Fi hotspot company Skyrove, has been appointed as CEO of Nomosphere South Africa. Neelay Pillay, who worked previously in the carrier solutions division at Internet Solutions, has joined the company as chief technology officer. The company now intends hiring an operational team.

    “Our overseas business is going to be more and more important for Nomosphere over the next year, and should represent more than 40% of our global business over the next five years,” says Nomosphere vice-president Philippe Le Grand.

    The company says growing demand for carrier-grade Wi-Fi services in South Africa and the “huge growth potential” here and in the rest of Africa led Nomosphere to choose the country as the first location for overseas operations, the company says.

    However, it will come up against growing competition in South Africa. Telkom and MWeb are aggressively rolling out Wi-Fi infrastructure across the country, while Internet Solutions recently signalled that it takes the Wi-Fi space seriously by snapping up 100% of the equity in AlwaysOn. Vodacom is also said to be gearing up to expand its focus on Wi-Fi through partner WirelessG after the two companies buried the hatchet following a high-profile legal dispute.

    Nomotech Group describes itself as the largest wireless access provider in France. It claims to have 15% national market share, with about 30m users connecting via its infrastructure yearly. It has deployed several thousand Wi-Fi hotspots across France.

    Key customers and large-scale deployments include SNCF French train stations, the City of Paris public hotspot network and the largest exhibition centre in Paris, the Paris Expo.

    Nomosphere says its solutions are powered by carrier-grade Wi-Fi hardware from Xirrus, Ruckus Wireless and Cisco. It also has proprietary open-access and network monitoring solutions. These, it says, allows for “delivery of large-scale installations and proactive monitoring and maintenance of the installations, all the way down to individual Wi-Fi routers.

    “Carrier-grade installations are relatively new in South Africa, and Nomosphere believes that its proven track record will allow it to establish itself as a market leader very quickly.”

    The company says it hopes to capture 15% to 20% of the South African market within three years by acting as a subcontractor for large telecommunications companies and offering value-added solutions for shopping centres, retailers, restaurants, hotels and large public venues.

    In addition to building Wi-Fi networks, Nomosphere intends offering its customers services such as online marketing, geo-positioning, geo-fencing, content delivery and machine-to-machine utilities.  — © 2014 NewsCentral Media



    AlwaysOn Ellie Hagopian Internet Solutions MWeb Neelay Pillay Nomosphere Philippe Le Grand Skyrove Telkom Viento Vodacom Wapa WirelessG
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleZATS: Ep 304 – ‘Sour apples’
    Next Article SA power grid remains in peril

    Related Posts

    Mobile money lifts Africa savings to decade high

    17 July 2025

    South Africa’s telcos battle to monetise 5G as 4G suffices for most

    15 July 2025

    Spam call epidemic: operators say their hands are tied

    10 July 2025
    Company News

    SA businesses embrace gen AI – but strategy and skills are lagging

    17 July 2025

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025

    Mental wellness at scale: how Mac fuels October Health’s mission

    15 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.