By Ramdas S, CRN, March 23, 2010, 1200 hrs
Tomizone, a provider of enterprise-class authentication and billing solutions for Wi-Fi hotspots, is looking to set up its channel network in India.
“We are in the business of converting private broadband connections to secure public Wi-Fi hotspots that can be used by just about anyone who will pay the usage charges. Any broadband customer can instantly set up a Wi-Fi hotspot at his premises using our cloud-based software. Besides his personal usage, the customer gets the opportunity to utilize his unused bandwidth by offering it to others. In return, he will get credit (for Internet surfing time) in his account, thus subsidizing the cost of his broadband connection,” explained Steve Simms, Founder CEO of the New Zealand-based company.
Tomizone, which stands for Turn On My Internet Zone, typically targets restaurants, malls, schools and other public establishments for such partnerships. “Our business model is unique, we have a million-plus Tomizone account holders, and the number is growing,” added Simms.
Tomizone has helped to enable 17,000 Wi-Fi spots across Australia and New Zealand. “To address the opportunity in India, we are looking at channel partners who can convince their customers to open up their broadband connections and convert them to public Wi-Fi hotspots,” Simms said.
According to Simms, Tomizone has already tied up with vendors such as Netgear and D-Link to bundle Tomizone’s hotspot management software with their wireless gear. This will help customers to create Wi-Fi hotspots, or allow partners to create them on behalf of their customers.
The company has also signed up with Tata Telecom and Reliance Infocomm. “Our associations with service providers will help expand the Wi-Fi footprint in India. We are planning more such tie-ups with national and local ISPs, Internet cafe owners, and even resellers who are focused on the home market,” said Girish Hiremath, Country Head, Tomizone India. |