Treate WiFi

Inspiration

In Ekiti State, Nigeria, as in many parts of Africa, reliable internet connectivity is not a given; it's a daily challenge. For businesses, students, and remote workers, inconsistent power and unstable networks are significant constraints that stifle growth and innovation. The inspiration for Treate WiFi comes directly from experiencing this reality. We see a critical need for an internet solution that isn't just fast, but fundamentally resilient; one that can thrive despite infrastructural challenges. We are inspired to build a practical, real-world solution that treats connectivity as the essential utility it is, empowering our local community to participate fully in the global digital economy.

What it does

Treate WiFi is a prototype for a next-generation WISP, engineered to deliver Connectivity as a Service (Caas) with unparalleled reliability in resource-constrained environments. Our solution is built on two core pillars of innovation:

1. A Hyper-Resilient Infrastructure: We have architected a system with no single point of failure for critical operations. Our model combines high-speed Fibre internet with LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite connectivity or 5G internet for automatic, seamless failover. This entire network core is underpinned by a hybrid solar and grid-powered battery system, guaranteeing absolute uptime even during extended grid outages.
2. A Software-Defined CaaS Platform: We are not just reselling bandwidth; we are building a sophisticated, software-defined platform that delivers tailored connectivity experiences. Our custom-built management ecosystem moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, allowing us to offer dynamic, use-case-driven service tiers that intelligently adapt to the specific needs of every user, from a student requiring maximum security to a multi-device SME needing collaborative flexibility.

How we're building it

Our approach is grounded in architectural excellence, combining best-in-class hardware with a powerful, custom software layer to create a cohesive and scalable system.

• Validated Market Need: The entire project is informed by a detailed feasibility study and market survey conducted in our target community. This data-driven approach ensures our final product is perfectly aligned with real-world user needs, frustrations, and pricing expectations.
• Enterprise-Grade Network Core: The network is architected for performance and security, using a powerful central gateway to manage our dual-internet sources and enforce sophisticated, multi-layered network segmentation. High-performance WiFi 6 access points are used to deliver wide and reliable coverage.
• Custom Software Development: Our custom software platform is the key to our innovation. The backend is being developed to integrate deeply with our network hardware. This allows us to programmatically manage the entire user journey, from a seamless onboarding and payment experience on our captive portal to the dynamic, per-user network policies that power our unique service tiers.

Challenges we anticipate

Building a solution for a constrained environment comes with its own set of challenges. The biggest hurdles we are planning for include:

• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the process of securing an Internet Service Provision (ISP) License from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will be a complex but necessary step to operate legally post-hackathon.
• Hardware Procurement: Sourcing specialised, high-performance networking and power equipment in Nigeria requires careful logistics and planning.
• Custom Software Complexity: Developing a secure and reliable software platform that integrates seamlessly with both a payment gateway and the network hardware requires significant development effort and rigorous testing to ensure a smooth and trustworthy user experience.

What makes our approach innovative

Our innovation is a holistic, full-stack approach that addresses the entire value chain of connectivity in a constrained environment.

• Architectural Innovation: We have engineered a system with multi-layered resilience, from the dual-WAN internet and hybrid-power infrastructure right down to the redundant power supplies on the core hardware. This commitment to 100% uptime is our foundational differentiator.
• Commercial Innovation: We have moved beyond a generic pricing model to a sophisticated, software-defined commercial strategy. Our platform's ability to offer flexible, use-case-driven tiers with unique rules, financial incentives, and value-added addons (like private network extensions) represents a new, more intelligent way to monetize connectivity.
• User Experience Innovation: By building our own software ecosystem (a public-facing website for marketing, a user console for account management, and a lightweight portal for onboarding) we own the entire user journey. This allows us to deliver a seamless, empowering, and trustworthy experience that aligns with a premium brand.

What we've learned so far

The planning and market research phase for this project has reinforced the principle that true innovation in Africa comes from embracing constraints. We have learned that by combining best-in-class global technologies with custom-built software tailored to validated local needs, it is possible to create a world-class service that is both technically advanced and commercially viable from day one.

What's next for Treate WiFi

Treate WiFi is not just a project; it's a scalable model. Our next steps are focused on expansion and integration:

• Expand Coverage: We plan to deploy more access points to cover a wider area within the community.
• Integrate with Treate Account: We will integrate our upcoming decentralised identity solution, Treate Account, to provide users with an even more seamless and secure way to manage their WiFi access and payments.
• Blueprint for Africa: We aim to refine this model and create a blueprint that can be replicated in other communities across Nigeria and Africa, truly unlocking the continent's deep tech potential.

Built With

• flutterwave
• google-cloud
• laravel
• next.js
• paystack
• php
• starlink
• typescript