IS Mobile Broadband put to the test
Internet Solutions (IS) recently launched its unified mobile broadband data bundle that integrates 3G, GPRS and HSPDA connectivity with IS Wi-Fi HotSpot access. The service promises to reduce the cost of mobile broadband users and makes managing broadband bundles easier.
“Whether IS customers roam via IS or partnered Wi-Fi networks, or utilise 3G/HSDPA via either the Vodacom or MTN network, all usage is depleted from a single data bundle,” says Brett Steingo, Mobile Business Unit Manager at IS.
The service is aimed at corporate clients, and the online account management system and invoicing system makes managing SIM cards and bundle sizes easy. IS has made it easy to assign bandwidth to users, activate and deactivate SIM cards and add new users to a data bundle.
The system also makes it possible to restrict network and internet access, allowing users to only access the company network through a VPN tunnel. This means corporates can control internet usage while ensuring that their mobile workforce has access to business critical applications when they are out of the office.
IS Mobile Broadband Speeds
When it comes to download and upload speeds IS’s mobile broadband service did not disappoint.
During business hours the average download speed was 3.5 Mbps while uplinks speeds were around 1 Mbps. There was not a significant difference between local and international speeds, giving a strong indication that IS provisioned adequate international bandwidth to support the service.
After hours the speeds were slightly higher – with an average download speed of 3.7 Mbps and an average upload speed in the region of 1 Mbps.
Hot spot speeds differ significantly from venue to venue with the speed typically related to the amount of available backhaul bandwidth and the number of users on the network. MyBroadband tested a fairly busy hotspot situated at OR Tambo International Airport, and the speeds were good. Average download speeds were around 1.5 Mbps while uplink speeds were also in the region of 1.5 Mbps.
Pricing
The mobile broadband service is slightly more expensive than retail services from companies like Vodacom, MTN, Telkom Mobile and Sainet, but the added flexibility and benefits, like 200% burstable bundle sizes and discounts on hotspot access provides a compelling value proposition.
Steingo explains that the IS unified mobile broadband solution pricing model works well for corporate companies because it allows aggregation, “bursts” up to 200% of the bundle size, comprehensive management and reporting, as well as unique security options and policy management.
“Existing clients on this model will get the benefit of Wi-Fi connectivity at half their 3G price. This means that data ‘burns’ off at half the rate of 3G usage, for example 100 MB of usage at a Wi-Fi Hotspot would result in only 50 MB being ‘burnt’ off the bundle.”
“However, that is merely a transitional phase between the existing ‘MB-based’ offering and the ‘rand-based’ offering being released to our leading Value Channel Partners and corporate clients. The rand-based bundles will, as suggested in the forum, offer the lowest available rate per MB for each network including Vodacom, MTN, IS Hotspots and Partnered Hotspot Networks,” Steingo pointed out.
“IS believes that the cost of a raw ‘MB’ has been commoditised. As a result, we plan to pass data connectivity on at cost and charge only for value-added services that clients voluntarily select. This, we believe, is where we add real value, and where resellers, IT managers and procurement officers derive real benefit from using IS products and services.”
Steingo said that the market can expect more exciting news from the company “on the multitude of unique, additional value-added services soon to be available on the IS Mobile Broadband Platform”. “Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity and the integration of multiple SIMs, from either network under one account are just the beginning,” Steingo concluded.
IS Mobile Broadband discussion
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