Internet Solutions pilots consumption-based billing on bandwidth in Kenya

Internet Solutions (IS), an integrated ICT services provider, is piloting a consumption-based billing service for its connectivity business as the demand for bandwidth rises in Kenya.

The move by IS follows the yawning demand, more especially by companies to use internet as a utility.

According to Hechle, IS increasing bandwidth demand in the enterprise space is being driven mostly by establishments embracing cloud computing and cloud storage and data centre virtualisation. Other factors include companies using video-based training and unified communications technologies such as Skype for meetings and as emerging technologies like Internet of Things  (IoT) become prevalent in Kenya, more things will be connected to the internet and will require ubiquitous connectivity.

Heckle says that clients want to consume bandwidth as a utility, where they only pay for what they use. He also pointed out the need for networks that are intelligently secure and stable.  He called for stability and flexibility in bandwidth, what he says would guarantee a fixed throughput.

“Bandwidth is widely considered a utility like power and water and users want it where and when they need it. Enterprises are demanding convenience and flexible consumption models that respond to their needs.”

Richard Hechle, Managing Director, IS

At the moment, private data exchange capacity between enterprises are also fast outpacing the growth of data traffic on the public internet. All these are set to comprise nearly six times the volume of global internet protocol (IP) traffic by the end of the decade, according to a new study produced by Equinix.

However, as enterprises become bandwidth hungry and business margins shrink, internet service providers (ISPs) charge their clients and customers a fixed flat rate fee for connectivity services per month, a billing that IS is lined to disrupt.

Currently, IS is testing the viability of its services with some of its clients in Kenya and expects to launch it commercially in about two-months. The service will allow enterprises the flexibility of controlling how much data they want to consume and only pay for what they use. It is leveraging its infrastructure and global footprint to support organisations with the rapid deployment of emerging technologies.