BareMetal is a South African company with its headquarters in Cape Town. It was founded in 2011 to offer a range of professional Information Technology services, mainly in the form of wireless internet. The company’s goal is to assist small businesses, individuals and companies through its expertise and range of IT business services.
The company was looking to extend the range of services that it offers in order to cater to a more diverse market, including informal businesses, households, and underserved communities that previously had limited access to reliable internet.
Growth opportunities with fibre
In order to achieve this objective, BareMetal partnered with Frogfoot RISE, a provider of prepaid, uncapped internet access in underserved communities. By providing robust and reliable fibre optic infrastructure, Frogfoot ensures that BareMetal has access to high-speed, scalable internet that can help the company continue to grow while meeting the evolving needs of their customers. Having a dedicated customer support team always on hand to address any issues quickly and efficiently, helps BareMetal minimise downtime and maintain a seamless experience for their end-users.
By integrating fibre into its service portfolio, BareMetal has significantly enhanced its service delivery, while being able to offer high-speed, reliable connectivity has broadened the company’s client base and solidified its position as a key player in the digital landscape.
“Transitioning from a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) to a Fibre Internet Service Provider (ISP) has been a transformative shift for BareMetal, largely due to our partnership with Frogfoot RISE. The robust infrastructure, technical support, and access to previously unattainable customers has allowed us to scale our offerings,” says Graham Khan, CTO at BareMetal.
Bridging the digital divide
The growth seen as a result of this transition has also empowered BareMetal to make a tangible positive impact on local communities through the creation of numerous employment opportunities, both directly within the company and through partnerships with local organisations. This includes a focus on upskilling community members by providing training in areas such as fibre sales, support procedures, customer support, and even technical maintenance.
As an example, Khan says that one of the company’s early hires, a local youth named Asenathi, joined BareMetal as a general sales agent, and after undergoing training, is now leading its fibre sales & support team that includes five staff members. “Stories like Asenathi’s are a testament to how partnerships like ours with Frogfoot RISE can foster personal growth and uplift entire communities,” says Khan.
“This collaboration with Frogfoot has allowed us to bridge the digital divide in remote areas that were previously neglected. The benefits extend beyond just connectivity, as local businesses can now thrive, students have reliable access to online learning, and essential services are more easily accessible through the power of high-speed internet.”
