ISP’s starting to use Wireless Local Loop
IS announced the launch of their GPRS – EDGE – 3G – HSDPA router which will use the current cellular infrastructure to provide Internet access to SME or small remote offices, provide an access medium for temporary offices, conferences and shows or serve as a failover device for critical networks that only have terrestrial based infrastructure.
In a similar move, Verizon Business launched their WiPoD product where the main attraction is its ability to provide redundant connectivity. While the WiPoD serves as a failover connectivity device it has a variety of other functions including serving as an intelligent gateway, web server, mail server, proxy server, file server and creating VPN’s.
Both these offerings have been developed partly due to Telkom’s inability to deliver stable, affordable ADSL in a timely fashion. Many local consumers have had to wait months for an ADSL service to be installed, and many are rather opting for a wireless solution which is generally available within days or even hours.
Verizon Business’s WiPod takes advantage of this market shift. Their new product can have GPRS, EDGE, 3G or HSDPA built in to the device to suit the customer’s needs, but it also supports Sentech’s MyWireless service and iBurst. The added redundancy of an additional network makes this functionality of the WiPod attractive to many businesses not wanting to rely solely on Telkom’s ADSL or Diginet service.
Both IS and Verizon Business, previously known as UUNet, are generally associated with traditional fixed line products, and their move towards utilizing the existing wireless networks and services may be an indication as to where local connectivity growth is expected to take place.
Vodacom, MTN, iBurst and Sentech have shown impressive growth in the local broadband context, and that is partly due to our exorbitantly priced ADSL services and Telkom’s inability to deliver services to waiting customers.
With the launch of HSDPA, wireless services have now also overtaken ADSL as the fastest local connection method. Once again if a user’s criterion is speed the wireless offerings present an attractive alternative to Telkom’s ADSL services.
Unless Telkom drastically changes its apathetic attitude towards customers needs, especially regarding service delivery and price, we may just find that broadband follows the same route as general telephony where mobile penetration rates far exceed their wired counterparts.
Loading ...