WiMax spectrum conundrum
Screamer Telecoms is well known in the broadband and wireless community as a WiMax network operator providing consumers with broadband and telephony services.
According to Screamer Telecoms they “control and manage one of the world’s biggest independent wireless telecommunications networks, with more than 350 high-sites around South Africa.”
The company boasts coverage of 134 000 square kilometers using both WiMax and WiFi technology, and offers consumers both capped and uncapped broadband services.
“Our Transmission Network is primarily Microwave with built in redundancy and automatic alternate routing. Our access network in the more heavily populated areas of SA is a WiMAX one and in the sparsely populated areas we use WiFi,” Screamer Telecoms says on its website.
Questions have been raised about the wireless operator’s access to WiMax spectrum. It is speculated that Screamer Telecoms is using Sentech’s 2.5 GHz WiMax spectrum, but the company would not confirm or deny this rumour.
When questioned about the company’s WiMax spectrum Screamer Telecoms CEO Gavin Hart said that he was not at liberty to comment on any arrangement Screamer Telecoms may or may not have with Sentech. Hart however promised that “a comprehensive statement would be released on MyBroadband within the next sixty days.”
Sentech was however very direct when asked about Screamer Telecoms, categorically denying that it has any relationship with the company. “Sentech does not have any relationship with Screamer Telecoms. Sentech is not aware if Screamer Telecoms is using its broadband spectrum, if so it is illegal,” said Sentech’s Head of Corporate Communications, Polly Modiko.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) was asked for comment regarding the potential use of Sentech’s WiMax spectrum by another company, but the regulator did not provide feedback by the time of publication.
Screamer Telecoms WiMax discussion
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