Tomizone gets into new mobile WiFi technology

Steve Simms. Photo / Richard Robinson

Local WiFi firm Tomizone is gearing up to take advantage of new mobile WiFi technology.

Tomizone is about to introduce two new products - one which creates a small "walking hotspot" and the other, a higher capacity model for conference venues, campervans and buses.

Aimed at the business traveller market, the palm-sized personal units create a small WiFi zone over which users can connect a range of WiFi-capable devices, including laptops, iPod's and mobile phones.

The yet-to-be-named device, similar to Novatel Wireless' MiFi, uses local 3G mobile networks as backhaul.

Tomizone chief executive Steve Simms said that with the MiFi-like device in the briefcase, business people would be able to step off the plane and connect a range of devices to the local mobile network.

The second, higher-powered device, to be ready within a couple of weeks, is aimed at the influx of visitors for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

The shoe-box sized device can be set up in conference venues, marquees, campervans, buses and boats, again using the 3G mobile network for backhaul, creating a mobile WiFi zone.

Simms said the "plug and play" device would appeal to conference organisers running events in hotels or out of the way venues needing to provide a WiFi connection for thousands of devices.

"All you need is power. Bang, done!" said Simms.

Tomizone recently formed a partnership with Hong Kong company Altai Technologies, which will produce the devices and bundle the Tomizone technology with the Altai hardware.

"We've always worked on a strategy of working non-exclusively with partners and push products through the partners and in some cases deal direct with end-customers," said Simms.

"Stand on the shoulders of giants and see further."

Tomizone has an existing relationship with broadband router supplier D-Link and Motorola in India.

This year the company expects to sign up with a partner in Brazil, something Simms describes as the "BIC strategy" - targeting Brazil, India and China, leaving out BRIC country Russia.

"Russia's very well done through someone else.

"We're happy with BIC, to be fair, and our globalisation into Europe and North America will happen over time," said Simms.

Three-year-old Tomizone, backed in part by Stephen Tindall, is still making headway with its existing products which allow broadband connections to be turning into WiFi hotspots.

Simms said there were now 90,000 registered customers using 20,000 Tomizone hotspots in New Zealand, Australia, China and India - up from 10,000 hotspots in January.

"It means we're getting closer to break-even," said Simms.

"If we stopped growing our staff numbers we would have been there but we can't, we've got to keep growing."

Staff numbers are now at 23, up from seven six months ago, and Simms predicts those numbers may triple in the coming year.

To keep the growth going the company is looking to raise $6 million to take it through to break-even point predicted in the next year.