A plan to make sari-sari stores WiFi hotspots? Why not.
Quezon City-based Wi-Fi Interactive Network (WIN) won seed funding from Microsoft’s Affordable Access Initiative, a campaign which invests in enterprises that can help reduce the cost of Internet access and help more people get connected to the webz.
The Filipino tech start-up’s idea is to turn sari-sari stores into a network of WiFi hotspots, providing connectivity to consumers who buy softdrinks, pancit canton and chicherya.
Sari-sari stores are the 7-Eleven of the Philippines. They’re found in almost every corner of every street.
“The seed funding is for USD150,000 and will allow WIN to pilot the TV White Space (TVWS) technology and service small and medium enterprises for a year,” said Philip Zulueta, president and founder of WIN in a report by Inquirer.
The plan is to roll out the project in areas outside Metro Manila, particularly Bulacan, Laguna and possibly Davao next month.
So how does the free WiFi project work?
WiN will work with advertising budgets of global brands.
They will use a “purchase-for-access model, where a customer first buys a sponsoring brand’s product prior to being provided Internet access.”
Currently, they are in different stages of piloting with brands, including San Miguel Corporation.
They are planning to set-up 10,000 WiFi hotspots in three years.
With Microsoft’s support, WiN is now even more confident about their project.
“Our model is scalable because our brand sponsors are present in most developing countries that also have connectivity issues. India and Indonesia are big markets, while we are looking to collaborate with other like-minded companies who are serving the nations of Africa,” Zulueta said.
