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Rural areas have reason to Smile

Zweli Mokgata

Zweli Mokgata

Low income consumers in rural areas will now have more choice when accessing telecommunications with the launch of Smile Communications this week.

Smile launched the first trial of its wireless communication network in Gamalakhe Village in KwaZulu-Natal.

Irene Charnley, Smile Communications chief executive, said: "For the first time a private company is solely focused on providing Universal Service nationally and with lowering the cost of telecommunications to the under-served consumers."

The company said it would soon begin to roll out public access devices (wireless phones) that would connect to the network at a reduced cost.

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