SES Networks Provides Enhanced Connectivity for South Africa’s Munga Mountain Bike Race, Local Communities

Participants and organizers of the Munga MTB, a single stage mountain bike race across the middle of South Africa, tapped into the power of SES Networks for the second consecutive year to provide high-speed WiFi connectivity along the 1,000km race route.

The race, said to be the toughest race on earth, took place November 29 to December 2, from Bloemfontein to Wellington in the Western Cape. SES Networks, together with its local partners Connectivity Africa and Ruckus Wireless, provided connectivity at five sites on the cycle routes: Site 1 – van Stadens guesthouse; Site 2 – Trance Karoo Lodge at Britz Town; Site 3 – Die Rooi Granant at Loxton; Site 4 – Sutherland Hotel at Southerland; and Site 5 – Pine Forest Holiday Resort at Ceres.

More importantly, the communities along the trail have enjoyed continuous free WiFi connectivity since the first Munga MTB race in November last year. Die Rooi Granant, a coffee shop and deli in Loxton, has become a hub of activity, where young people and small business owners have access to the internet via fast mobile data and broadband connectivity available at the coffee shop.

This year SES Networks doubled the capacity provided for organizers to use Facebook live streaming. The provision of internet connectivity meant the organizers were able to provide updates to the cyclists and enabled them to keep records of all participants that entered and left the stop-over sites. For the participants, they were able to stay connected with their families, post updates on social media for their followers to experience the race in real-time, and keep track of their progress.

“Connecting our customers and local communities is at the heart of what we do,” says Carole Kamaitha, Vice President, Fixed Data of Africa at SES Networks. “We are delighted that we were able to provide the Munga MTB participants and organisers with high-speed broadband connectivity and continue to provide the service to communities along the cycle routes. Many of the surrounding communities have limited access to the internet, so we are very pleased that we could make a difference to their daily lives by empowering them through connectivity.”

“I’m exhausted but ecstatic that we managed to finish the race,” says Alex Harris, Munga Race Director. “To see the participants leave each day in the early hours of the morning and push through every type of pain, is truly remarkable and inspiring. By partnering with SES Networks, we were able to provide much needed quality WiFi to the Munga MTB participants and the surrounding communities. Receiving motivational messages and pictures from loved ones also made everything worthwhile and participants felt encouraged every step of the way.”