The question of free urban Wi-Fi most often comes in the context of travel — as people on the go want to be able to connect easily and for free from where ever they are. But with well over half the world owning a smartphone or Wi-Fi capable device, every urban dweller wants to know they will be able to get the content and functionality they want from their device wherever they are.
These days, we aren’t just accessing data more often, we are accessing more of it, more of the time. The ‘‘always on’’ lifestyle requires a constant shroud of Wi-Fi coverage to follow us were we go.
While traveling, almost everyone has the urge and necessity to check emails and share documents and moments on social media with others. Gone are the days when you could do this only while sitting at the desk top computer at home.
This is an age of mobile devices and people usually have many of these with them such as laptops, smartphones and others. Almost all of these are Wi-Fi friendly, so, all you need to do is connect to an Internet service provider, preferably ZOL, through the Wi-Fi.
What are ZOLspots?
ZOLspot is our hotspot solution accessible to all with a Wi-Fi enabled device. All ZOLspots provide superfast Wi-Fi using fibre optic technology provided by the data carrier Liquid Telecom.
Liquid Telecom is the leading independent data, voice and IP provider in eastern, central and southern Africa. It supplies fibre optic, satellite and international carrier services to Africa’s largest mobile network operators, ISPs, financial institutions and businesses of all sizes.
ZOL Zimbabwe currently operates more than 100 Wi-Fi Hotspots countrywide, all conveniently located to allow the data hungry masses to access content and enjoy the functionality of their devices. Anyone can enjoy internet access on ZOLspots by either signing up for a top up package or using the free access portal.
By providing free 30 minutes or 50MB, ZOL has taken a step towards making Zimbabwe a Wi-Fi haven, allowing the smart device user to enjoy their devices beyond the data bundle. And there is more!
ZOL Fibroniks customers can enjoy internet access at any ZOLspot at no added cost by using Fibroniks-on-the-go. Fibroniks on the go is exclusive to ZOL and it allows for subscribed customers to use their Fibroniks bandwidth (download and upload speeds) at any ZOLspot. That means you have got access to your home or office Fibroniks package at any ZOLspot around the country.
Not everybody in a city can afford the internet, hence there are many children and adults who are not able to access it.
With the introduction of free service on ZOLspots the first steps towards making the internet affordable and accessible to all has been taken by ZOL.
In today’s Zimbabwe, everyone is conscious of the cost of everything and we all strive to save in any way possible. At ZOL, we believe that the Internet is as important as power supply, because it is not only a means of communication but a societal enabler, whose cost is the main determinant of ease of access. Free access on ZOLspots also curbs inequality by allowing everyone access to the internet which we believe is a right for all.
How do I find ZOLspots?
ZOLspots are dotted all across the country with several located at places of convenience such as restaurants, cafés, fast food outlets, and airports just to name a few. Given that it is a great challenge for anyone to try and remember were 100 ZOLspots are located, ZOL Zimbabwe has taken an innovative step to help you find internet access by providing the ZOLspot finder on the myZOL app available on Google Play Store for Android users and iTunes for Apple devices. The ZOLspot finder function has a list of all ZOLspots and uses GPS to help guide you to your nearest ZOLspot.
How do I access this free Wi-Fi?
To access free internet at a ZOLspot, your laptop or handheld device must have a built in support for Wi-Fi. Below are instructions on how you can access free internet on ZOLspots:
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Make sure your Wi-Fi functionality is on
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Select ZOLspot from the internet connectivity/Wi-Fi/WLAN menu on your device
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Using your internet browser (e.g. Chrome or any built in browser.) and open any website e.g. www.google.co.zw, which will lead you to the ZOLspot login page
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Once the ZOLspot login page has opened select the ‘‘Free 30 minutes’’ option for free internet
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A video advert will appear and once it has played to the end, you will be able to access free internet.
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Providing free Wi-Fi service on our ZOLspots would not be possible without the support of Liquid Telecom.
The data carrier has been nominated in five categories of the prestigious 8th Annual AfricaCom Awards namely Best Network Improvement, Best Connectivity Solution for Africa, VSAT Innovation for Africa, Best Pan-African Initiative and the Changing Lives Award. Being nominated in five categories in AfricaCom Awards is a testament of Liquid Telecoms ability to not only providing quality solutions for local Internet service providers but also to the African continent.
- The Herald (Zimpapers 1980 LTD)