Wireless Business Solutions (WBS) announced the deployment of its long awaited WiMax network. “This is the watershed year for WiMax in SA,” said Thami Mtshali, Group CEO of WBS. <\/p>\n
WBS, the holder of a commercial WiMax spectrum license, contracted Vodacom to construct the WiMax network. Vodacom used two vendors, namely Huawei and Alcatel, for its 802.16e WiMax network rollout.<\/p>\n
WBS said that Vodacom was chosen as its WiMax partner as the company has both the sites and the resources required for the network’s rapid roll-out. WBS has also formed a strategic partnership with Intel Corporation, a driver behind the WiMax technology.<\/p>\n
iBurst and Vodacom Service Provider Company will take the WBS WiMax offerings to the market.<\/p>\n
The WBS WiMax network already consists of 120 base stations deployed in Gauteng, Western Cape (Cape Town) and KwaZulu-Natal providing fixed broadband services. <\/p>\n
Although the 802.16e network inherently supports mobility, mobile WiMax services will be offered in the future, as the network coverage and density increases. <\/p>\n
WBS will start providing WiMax services to a limited number of trial users in order to iron out any network and process related issues, with a view to launching commercially in August 2008. There will be many different WiMax offerings from WBS, including a WiMax Assured Rate services aimed at the leased line market and a contended broadband service.<\/p>\n The WiMax Broadband service will be a best effort service offering maximum speed options of 512 kbps and 1024 kbps with capped monthly quotas of 5GB and 10GB.<\/p>\n The WiMax Broadband service will offer shaped and unshaped access and throttled access of 16 kbps will be provided upon breaching the monthly cap.<\/p>\n The WiMax Assured Rate service will be prioritized over WiMax Broadband traffic and offer symmetrical assured rate options of 64 kbps, 128 kbps and 256 kbps. The Asymmetrical Assured Rate service will offer speeds of 128 kbps, 256 kbps and 512 kbps. No caps will apply on either service.<\/p>\n WBS has filed its pricing with ICASA and the company said that it will release the pricing details as soon as it is approved by the regulator. The company did however say that users can expect a competitive structure for its WiMax offerings. iBurst has indicated that their Assured Rate WiMax offering will undercut current leased line prices. <\/p>\n “We are excited by today’s announcement as it represents a major step towards the availability of wireless broadband connectivity in South Africa,” says Gilles Karolkowski, director of WiMax Programme Office EMEA, Intel Corporation. <\/p>\n “Intel is committed to enable the deployment of next-generation fixed and mobile broadband around the world as a new and exciting way for people to access the internet anytime, anywhere.”<\/p>\n Mr Mtshali added that global experience has shown that ubiquitous, high-speed Internet access has improved the lives of every community where it has been deployed. “The potential of the Internet to change lives for the better is proven and real. Broadband really should be viewed as a basic service, similar to water and electricity,” he said.<\/p>\n
Service offerings<\/strong><\/p>\n