Connectivity Providers Database

From: Steve Jump <steve@info.bw> To: "Steven Huter" <sghuter@nsrc.org> Date: Mon, 23 Dec 96 08:42:04 +0200 Hi Steven, Info Botswana is presently linked through the Global-One network with a full 64K link. Our connection is via the Botswana telecom router and then to Global-One, The link is due to be routed direct to USA via SPRINT in the new year, and at that time we hope to have a second 64K link direct to South Africa, where we will probably link onto the SAIX network. At present we are the only commercial ISP in Botswana, although there are many rumours about competition, it seems as though the fact that we have managed to get on-line at all has convinced everyone that they must start up ISPs as well. >o a brief technical description of your network, the equipment/platform >you're using there for servers, etc. We have been on-line since 18th November. We are using Pentium PCs with RedHat Linux 4.0 as the operating system. At present we operate two main servers, one handling PPP dial-ins and hosting our FTP site, and the other running our Web server. We run several PCs for admin purposes, and three Macintosh workstations for publishing use. We currently have 18 dial-in lines to our system, of which 13 are connected through a Cyclades Cyclom-Ye serial card, and five are connected via a Satelcom Megabox Router. The Megabox is our main router, and currently handles two WAN ports, our main 64K link, and our backup analogue link. The analogue link is currently being used to carry CompuServe traffic, for CompuServe Africa. We use MicroCom modems, and will be installing a 32port HDMS system in the new year when we our new lines and second 64K line is installed. >o info about your costs/pricing for users of your services We offer a variety of services. A single user Internet account - at P150 per month with unlimited access A business Internet account, with 50 hours per month at P150 pm + P10/hr after 50 hours email only accounts at P80 per month A Post office account for business users, eg UUCP or MS Exchange at P300 for unlimited users. Plus we will offer a variety of Web publishing services, page setup, Web site hosting etc. We have a large in-house design group, and are primarily a publishing company. We publish a business directory, Contacts, currently in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa (Johannesburg,Pretoria, CapeTown), Swaziland and the UK, which we plan to launch as a Web based publication next year.