Wireless Business Solutions (WBS), a leading provider of mobile data solutions in South Africa, announced today that it plans to deploy ArrayComm's iBurst™ broadband wireless system throughout the country. WBS expects to cover more than 80% of the 45 million population of South Africa within three years, through a phased deployment of iBurst base stations being manufactured by Kyocera Corporation.
WBS will begin service in the first quarter of 2005 in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa's four largest population centres. Expansion to other urban areas will begin soon thereafter.
The service -- the second of its kind worldwide -- will offer users all the features and benefits that iBurst technology has demonstrated in its large-scale commercial deployment in Australia, including seamless delivery of 1 Mbps data rates along with all the wireless freedom and mobility of cellular. Personal Broadband Australia (PBA) launched iBurst service in Sydney, Australia in March and has already expanded the system to cover nearby areas. PBA will introduce service to Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Coast in September. Service in additional capitals will follow.
"We are delighted with the performance of the iBurst system," said Sasan Parvin, Chief Technical Officer of WBS. "There are many systems out there that claim to offer viable models for mobile broadband services, but we found that the iBurst system is the only carrier-grade wireless technology that can truly compete with the economics of cable or DSL. We are anxious to bring the iBurst mobile broadband experience to our rainbow nation of South Africa."
"We are pleased that the WBS team has chosen the iBurst system to support its business," said Sam Endy, ArrayComm President and CEO. "The validation the technology is receiving through large-scale operator adoption is a testament to our work with Kyocera and other manufacturers to meet operator needs for carrier-class products and support."
WBS will begin service in the first quarter of 2005 in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa's four largest population centres. Expansion to other urban areas will begin soon thereafter.
The service -- the second of its kind worldwide -- will offer users all the features and benefits that iBurst technology has demonstrated in its large-scale commercial deployment in Australia, including seamless delivery of 1 Mbps data rates along with all the wireless freedom and mobility of cellular. Personal Broadband Australia (PBA) launched iBurst service in Sydney, Australia in March and has already expanded the system to cover nearby areas. PBA will introduce service to Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Coast in September. Service in additional capitals will follow.
"We are delighted with the performance of the iBurst system," said Sasan Parvin, Chief Technical Officer of WBS. "There are many systems out there that claim to offer viable models for mobile broadband services, but we found that the iBurst system is the only carrier-grade wireless technology that can truly compete with the economics of cable or DSL. We are anxious to bring the iBurst mobile broadband experience to our rainbow nation of South Africa."
"We are pleased that the WBS team has chosen the iBurst system to support its business," said Sam Endy, ArrayComm President and CEO. "The validation the technology is receiving through large-scale operator adoption is a testament to our work with Kyocera and other manufacturers to meet operator needs for carrier-class products and support."