No data, no problem! That was the assurance of Shermar Stuart, CEO and co-founder of Prime Tech.
A small, hand-held device called The Prime allows for dataless streaming. No internet connection, no data and no SIM card is needed to connect to the internet with this device.
All you need is a computer, laptop, tablet or cellphone that offers wi-fi capabilities, and the little device.
"We started the project last year, in June. We were sitting and discussing whether it is possible to actually do things on your device without data. Streaming is taking over in this day and age, and data is extremely expensive," said Stuart.
The Prime connects your device to wi-fi and enables streaming and researching at no extra cost.
The device is currently being installed at Bechet High School in Sydenham to allow Grade 12 pupils free access to educational content for revision in the build-up to their final examinations.
"I approached Bechet with the idea, and they were excited. The principal understands how technology is moving and jumped on this idea. There was no cost to the school at all," said Stuart.
He said they had plans to get The Prime direct to the consumer, but were currently focusing on students due to the global pandemic.
"The device currently costs between R1500 and R2000, but we're looking to get everything locally sourced and manufactured to cut down the cost. By the time that is done, it should be around R1000 or less," he said.
According to Stuart, they have already won several awards for the device. This year, The Prime featured among the top 10 innovations in Africa. It came first at the annual Innovation Festival in Durban and second in the Moses Kotane Institute Innovation of the Year awards.
"Going forward, we have in mind the local community centre so that we can provide access to multiple people from different locations. We have not identified a particular school, but next up, we know that we want to target a rural/off-grid and completely unconnected school," he said.
When asked what wi-fi connection the device would tap into, Stuart said it was "too difficult" to explain.
