Urban Connect Networks
How a Kenyan ISP runs 100+ hotspot points across 3 locations scaled community and student Wi-Fi , and launches the Urban Mtaani project.
Who Is Urban Connect Networks?
Urban Connect Networks is a Kenyan ISP that offers hotspot and PPPoE internet services. Operating for 6 months with over 100 hotspot points across 3 main locations, they serve students, homes, and businesses across Kenya. Their focus is on delivering scalable, affordable connectivity — starting with a pilot in two small towns before expanding into major towns and colleges through the Urban Mtaani project.
Internet Services Urban Connect Networks Delivers Across Kenya
Equipment Urban Uses Across 100+ Hotspot Points
Urban Connect Networks runs MikroTik routers and access points across all hotspot deployments, integrated directly with Powerlynx via RADIUS for centralized authentication and session management.
How Urban Connect Networks Monetizes Hotspot Wi-Fi
Challenges Urban Connect Networks Faced Before Powerlynx
Poor scalability – previous solutions couldn't grow with the network. Adding new hotspot points created friction rather than supporting expansion.
Bad customer support – slow support from previous vendors created operational risk.
Unfriendly system – the management interface made day-to-day operations unnecessarily complex.
Where Urban Deploys Wi-Fi Hotspots
Urban Connect Networks started with a pilot across two small Kenyan towns, serving college students. They are now onboarding the Urban Mtaani project — a broader rollout targeting major towns and colleges across Kenya, running over 100 hotspot points across 3 main locations.
Features Urban Relies On Every Day
Authentication in Powerlynx enables Urban Connect Networks to securely control user access using voucher codes and phone number verification, reducing misuse and simplifying session management for better service reliability.
Roaming support in Powerlynx allows Urban Connect Networks to maintain user sessions across multiple locations, ensuring uninterrupted access and simplified network management.
Powerlynx allows Urban Connect Networks to run targeted campaigns and promotions directly through the hotspot platform, driving customer engagement and increasing revenue opportunities.
Why Urban Chose Powerlynx
Urban Connect Networks selected Powerlynx with confidence after two years of using Splynx for PPPoE management. The proven reliability, performance, and responsive support experienced with Splynx aligned closely with our technical and operational needs. Powerlynx delivered the same standard, meeting expectations from day one and integrating seamlessly into our existing workflow.
Before Powerlynx
- Systems lacked scalability and were hard to manage.
- Poor customer support and unreliable authentication.
- No roaming support, causing user frustration.
With Powerlynx
- Trusted solution with strong authentication and roaming.
- Marketing tools to boost revenue.
- Responsive support for smooth operations.
Since implementing Powerlynx, we’ve noticed a significant reduction in the time and effort required to set up new hotspot sites. Previously, much of our work involved balancing both software and hardware challenges. Now, with Powerlynx handling the software side seamlessly, our focus has shifted almost entirely to civil works and hardware installation.