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Johannesburg - In the wake of MTN’s acquisition of Afrihost, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) is taking steps to reassure customers about the independence of the business.
The deal is providing Afrihost with a shareholder with big pockets and likely to enable it to compete aggressively with other ISPs.
As Afrihost is gobbled up by MTN, no change should be expected from the ISP that will disrupt its innovation, argues the ISP.
MTN is buying 50% plus one of Afrihost's shares. The existing shareholders, including management, would retain the remaining shares of the company.
"I just want to reassure you personally that Afrihost will remain Afrihost," Gian Visser, Afrihost CEO and founder, pointed out in a letter to customers.
"Nothing will change in the day to day operations: My fellow directors and I, and our whole team, are all staying put to keep fighting the good fight to ensure the best prices, the best products and the best value for you and all our clients," he said.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approval.
Afrihost is likely to continue with exciting products and services to clients. "We have some incredible things lined up for you. I can't wait to look back and marvel at what we've all achieved together in a year's time!" argues Visser.
Afrihost, a pioneering South Africa ISP, was the brainchild of best friends Visser, Brendan Armstrong and Peter Meintjes, who had a dream of building a company, free of corporate shackles that would delight their clients with "excellent service and amazing products".
In the past few weeks, the company has been testing Zest T1 smartphones and is bringing it to the local market.
In June, Afrihost started selling the smartphone to its customers for R1 999 with free 12GB (or 1GB/month pre-loaded mobile data
The Zest T1 comes uniquely in matte black and pearlescent white finishes.
"We had originally planned to sell only 1 000 bundles exclusively to clients. We didn't expect to sell them all in less than 20 minutes! So we made more available and sold almost 3 000 on the first day," Visser said. "As I type this, we're pretty much sold out (hopefully there'll be one or two left if you haven't grabbed one already)."
The deal is providing Afrihost with a shareholder with big pockets and likely to enable it to compete aggressively with other ISPs.
As Afrihost is gobbled up by MTN, no change should be expected from the ISP that will disrupt its innovation, argues the ISP.
MTN is buying 50% plus one of Afrihost's shares. The existing shareholders, including management, would retain the remaining shares of the company.
"I just want to reassure you personally that Afrihost will remain Afrihost," Gian Visser, Afrihost CEO and founder, pointed out in a letter to customers.
"Nothing will change in the day to day operations: My fellow directors and I, and our whole team, are all staying put to keep fighting the good fight to ensure the best prices, the best products and the best value for you and all our clients," he said.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approval.
Afrihost is likely to continue with exciting products and services to clients. "We have some incredible things lined up for you. I can't wait to look back and marvel at what we've all achieved together in a year's time!" argues Visser.
Afrihost, a pioneering South Africa ISP, was the brainchild of best friends Visser, Brendan Armstrong and Peter Meintjes, who had a dream of building a company, free of corporate shackles that would delight their clients with "excellent service and amazing products".
In the past few weeks, the company has been testing Zest T1 smartphones and is bringing it to the local market.
In June, Afrihost started selling the smartphone to its customers for R1 999 with free 12GB (or 1GB/month pre-loaded mobile data
The Zest T1 comes uniquely in matte black and pearlescent white finishes.
"We had originally planned to sell only 1 000 bundles exclusively to clients. We didn't expect to sell them all in less than 20 minutes! So we made more available and sold almost 3 000 on the first day," Visser said. "As I type this, we're pretty much sold out (hopefully there'll be one or two left if you haven't grabbed one already)."
