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Question of the Day: Do you think Bafana Bafana will win tonight?
Vodacom Wimax Launch Date?
- Thread starter Syndyre
- Start date
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Damn, was getting hopeful.
Looking at the current WiMax product offers, I'd rather spend effort on 3.6Mb/s, personally.
Can't quite see how WiMax is going to bring any benefits in the near future.
Its not likely to be any cheaper/better for higher bandwidth offerings?
One thing I feel compelled to say, is that if iBurst has anything to do with the billing for Vodacom's WiMax, then I will not even consider using the service - just a word of warning in case Vodacom is obliged to involve iBurst in the WiMax thing...
PS: iBurst [formerly WBS] still owes me R456.00 from 2 years ago.
PS: iBurst [formerly WBS] still owes me R456.00 from 2 years ago.
kronoSX
Honorary Master
well then why then,its like giving up already without trying.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Yes, that's the idea. WiMax should be a high bandwidth, point-to-point system, a direct replacement for DSL.
But the technology is not there yet. As with most technologies, the so-called 'industry analysts' (read armchair boffins...) are way ahead of what can be practically done today. You often hear about 70Mb/s @ 70Km's doing 120Km/h.....
But we're not there yet. We've been running trail networks for a few years now, so we're staying very close to what can be done (and makes sense)
The new Telkom offering gives a better idea of what is practical today. You'll agree the current HSDPA offerings are still much better.
But WiMax is coming.
Hi V3G
In terms of coverage, when wimax does eventually get here, being wireless, will it be similar to 3G/hsdpa in it's limited footprint? By that I mean seriously affected by obstacles, such as concrete buildings, trees, dips & valleys, etc.
Or will it be similar to the GSM coverage, which covers +/- 42km, in MOST cases with little interference from "obstacles", as opposed to 3G, where it has only a +/- 3km coverage - and is hugely affected by the terrain?
If so, bring on the Vodacom ADSL service... now that is something to look forward to!
Anything Telkom can do Vodacom can do better!!!
If Wimax is going to have the same "challenges", perhaps the antenna suppliers need to be involved earlier so that we are prepared, having learnt their value with their 3G antenna's?
In terms of coverage, when wimax does eventually get here, being wireless, will it be similar to 3G/hsdpa in it's limited footprint? By that I mean seriously affected by obstacles, such as concrete buildings, trees, dips & valleys, etc.
Or will it be similar to the GSM coverage, which covers +/- 42km, in MOST cases with little interference from "obstacles", as opposed to 3G, where it has only a +/- 3km coverage - and is hugely affected by the terrain?
If so, bring on the Vodacom ADSL service... now that is something to look forward to!
Anything Telkom can do Vodacom can do better!!!If Wimax is going to have the same "challenges", perhaps the antenna suppliers need to be involved earlier so that we are prepared, having learnt their value with their 3G antenna's?
Yes, that's the idea. WiMax should be a high bandwidth, point-to-point system, a direct replacement for DSL.
But the technology is not there yet. As with most technologies, the so-called 'industry analysts' (read armchair boffins...) are way ahead of what can be practically done today. You often hear about 70Mb/s @ 70Km's doing 120Km/h.....
But we're not there yet. We've been running trail networks for a few years now, so we're staying very close to what can be done (and makes sense)
The new Telkom offering gives a better idea of what is practical today. You'll agree the current HSDPA offerings are still much better.
But WiMax is coming.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Hi V3G
In terms of coverage, when wimax does eventually get here, being wireless, will it be similar to 3G/hsdpa in it's limited footprint? By that I mean seriously affected by obstacles, such as concrete buildings, trees, dips & valleys, etc.
Or will it be similar to the GSM coverage, which covers +/- 42km, in MOST cases with little interference from "obstacles", as opposed to 3G, where it has only a +/- 3km coverage - and is hugely affected by the terrain?
If so, bring on the Vodacom ADSL service... now that is something to look forward to!
If Wimax is going to have the same "challenges", perhaps the antenna suppliers need to be involved earlier so that we are prepared, having learnt their value with their 3G antenna's?
Coverage in this context is mostly a function of frequency, the higher the frequency the more difficult to get large cells. So WiMax will be more like HSDPA or even more difficult.
I 100% agree with 3G4me's sentiments about 'bring on the ADSL' and 'Vodacom can certainly do a much better job than Telkodemonopolies could ever dream of doing'.
However, the current problem in my area, is that the copper distance is too large, so I hope that Vodacom would be able to take advantage of LLU and put in lots of fibre to reduce copper distance and give us at least 20Mbits/s ADSL2+ in which case I would also be interested in IPTV & VoD from Vodacom - provided that it has better content and pricing than currently available from Multichoice with DSTV+MNET.
Ditto what v3g posted about wireless footprint+throughput decreasing as frequency increases.
However, the current problem in my area, is that the copper distance is too large, so I hope that Vodacom would be able to take advantage of LLU and put in lots of fibre to reduce copper distance and give us at least 20Mbits/s ADSL2+ in which case I would also be interested in IPTV & VoD from Vodacom - provided that it has better content and pricing than currently available from Multichoice with DSTV+MNET.
Ditto what v3g posted about wireless footprint+throughput decreasing as frequency increases.
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vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Yes, that's the idea. WiMax should be a high bandwidth, point-to-point system, a direct replacement for DSL.
But the technology is not there yet. As with most technologies, the so-called 'industry analysts' (read armchair boffins...) are way ahead of what can be practically done today. You often hear about 70Mb/s @ 70Km's doing 120Km/h.....
But we're not there yet. We've been running trail networks for a few years now, so we're staying very close to what can be done (and makes sense)
The new Telkom offering gives a better idea of what is practical today. You'll agree the current HSDPA offerings are still much better.
But WiMax is coming.
Ok I suppose its not worth the capital expenditure to build another network that's similar or only marginally better than the existing HSDPA network. As ic's said if it's fixed wireless then LLU and ADSL would seem like a better option.
The fact is that no sane WiMax operator will be offering bandwidth intensive services like IPTV and VoD on their WiMax network, and IPTV is something I know I do want - not from Telkodemonopolies though, which leave wired connections for those services, e.g. ADSL2+ maybe one day VDSL*...
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
It's obviously worth it if there is a measurable ROI. WiMax is more efficient than current HSDPA and thus can achieve higher bit-rates. (Expect the successor to HSDPA to look very similar to WiMax, will be OFDM.)
But all this technology must still be stabilised or even developed.
Vodacom is extremely well positioned to offer WiMax. The difficult part is not rolling out the technology (once available) but rather the physical locations where you need to put up the towers. We've already got this, plus the know-how on how to roll a new network very quickly (3G is a good example, the whole 3G/HSDPA network was built without a significant increase in head-count.).
This is where the other operators battle.
Now we just need to convince the powers-that-be to give us a license......why give licenses to people who cannot demonstrate the ability to actually do something with them?
Sure, what I meant was you might get similar benefits with less capex by upgrading the existing HSDPA network if the technology's not significantly better. Is mobile WiMax likely to be an HSDPA replacement in terms of mobility or will you move straight to the next standard and keep WiMax as a fixed option?
I think having an existing distribution network and recognised brand also plays a big role in guaranteeing uptake.
Now we just need to convince the powers-that-be to give us a license......why give licenses to people who cannot demonstrate the ability to actually do something with them?
[cynical] Because ultimately someone well connected benefits when you're expected to effectively buy a licence, either directly or by acquiring the company itself.[/cynical]
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Could be, it was designed as such. But not soon and obviously HSDPA won't stand still in developing OFDM technology. Practicaly, the card vendors will make or break this one.
Very true, but you must also have something to sell via this channel. But the brand will help a lot.
Frequency allocation has never been a logical process....it would be great for rpm/myADSL to do a study on allocated frequency / efficiency. Maybe something like %GDP contribution/MHz.
Guess so, especially since a lot of people won't see the need to upgrade from HSDPA if the cards are particularly expensive etc.
Shame I don't think Cell C would come out too well.
vodacom3g
Vodacom Representative
Maybe not too bad compared to some of the other frequency hogs..... Could be an idea to work time into it. %GDP/Mhz/year.Shame I don't think Cell C would come out too well.
The point is; there is only so much spectrum available. "Use it or lose it" should apply.