Cape Town, June 2009:

Radio has come a long way since the cabinet-sized “wireless” sets that families gathered around every evening for entertainment. Today you can listen to Ryan Seacrest on KIISFM over breakfast, BBC Four at lunchtime and later catch a rock concert broadcast from Germany – all just at the push of a button.

The newest trend in radio technology, called Internet radios, allows you to hear top international radio stations or South African regional radio stations, even if you’re not in the broadcast area. These radios use a broadband Internet connection, typically ADSL, and can play any radio station from around the world that streams its broadcast via the Web.

MWEB, South Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), has distribution rights of the OXX Digital Internet radios. Natalie Thayer, GM of MWEB, said the Internet is now more than a wonderful tool for staying in touch and keeping up to date with news. Now it’s a perfect means to listen to great international radio with the added bonus of not having to sit in front of your PC to benefit from it. “Internet radios are perfect for use at home or the office or anywhere there is a broadband connection - even in a Wi-Fi hotspot. Users can sign up and create their own playlists or search for their favourite local and international radio stations via www.reciva.com . They are also ideal for use in the hospitality industry where overseas guests can be made to feel at home by offering their favourite international radio stations in their rooms.”

The radios allow you to search for a radio station by genre or location. The radios also provide live worldwide podcasts and “listen again” services such as those operated by the BBC. The OXX Digital radio offers over 14 000 preset radio stations and can access stations from around the world, with broadcasts available from nearly every country including over 60 local South African stations.

MWEB offers two models of the radios, the Alto and the Tube, which are priced at R3 000 and R4 500 respectively. To purchase one, MWEB customers can go to www.mweb.co.za/services/mwebshop or call 08600 32000.

Ends

Note to Editors
MWEB was founded in 1997 and is today South Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP). MWEB is highly regarded for its wide range of exclusive content, differentiated tools and services, best-of-breed technology guarantee and internationally sourced R&D to benefit its more than 300 000 subscribers. The company comprises two main divisions: MWEB Connect, which is focused on the Residential and Small business market, and MWEB Business, which offers products and services for larger businesses to integrate their IT infrastructure and business processes with the Internet. MWEB is owned by Multichoice South Africa Holdings Limited, a Naspers Limited subsidiary that has more than 30% Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment shareholders.