SA’s Coca-Cola vending machines to dispense free Wi-Fi

“May I offer you some free Wi-Fi with your cool beverage?”

Word recently came out that Coca-Cola vending machines in South Africa will start dispensing more than just soft drinks, but free Wi-Fi as well. This initiative comes at the back of a partnership with UK telecom operator BT Global Services and refreshment giant Coca-Cola South Africa.

According to Infotech Lead, BT has already launched a pilot project in two key areas, including Umtata in the Eastern Cape province and Nelspruit, in the Mpumalanga province.

Chief information officer of Coca-Cola South Africa David Visser says that the project’s aim is to allow both students and entrepreneurs with more opportunities:

“Free Wi-Fi will enable students and school children in the area to increase their knowledge through research while also giving entrepreneurs and small business owners in the community the opportunity to manage some of their business aspects online.”

Both companies are seeking to expand the implementation of these so-called Wi-Fi coolers across the rest of the country to help support sustainable communities.

We’ve seen some nifty, oft ambitious, innovations in the race to get internet to as many citizens across South Africa in order to ultimately close the digital divide. From schools and rural areas to taxi buses, the amount of these initiatives seem to have pick up momentum.