Ivoire IP deploying FTTH for neighbourhoods via franchise model

Cote d’Ivoire-based start-up company Ivoire IP, established in November 2013, has announced that it will be deploying fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband access services via a commercial franchise distribution system under the Kouzin banner, Agence Ecofin reports. Franchisees can sign up to distribute the FTTH service in specific zones, with the proposition already open for neighbourhoods in Abidjan. According to Ivoire IP’s website, each ‘Kouzin Distributor’ will acquire a share in the FTTH operation and receive 30% commission in return for subscribing to a ‘minimum 10 hectares’ exclusive distribution zone (at minimum cost of XOF15 million [USD25,000]). Ivoire IP is promising that its network will offer 100Mbps connections for residential, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and small office/home office (SOHO) customers, plus dedicated bandwidth of between 100Mbps and 2.5Gbps for corporates. Unlimited data usage packages/add-ons will reportedly range in price from XOF200 to XOF20,000, with validity ranging from one hour to one month.