Vodacom and iBurst are both planning launches of their commercial WiMax offerings in August.<\/p>\n
WBS announced in May that it had successfully deployed its 802.11e WiMax network. The network was deployed by Vodacom using Huawei and Alcatel as vendors.<\/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
At the launch it was announced that iBurst and Vodacom would take the WBS WiMax offerings to the market. A limited number of trial users have been using the network since its launch and the planned commercial launch of services was August 2008.<\/p>\n
With August just around the corner Vodacom and iBurst was asked about their WiMax launch plans, and everything seems set for an August launch.<\/p>\n
Vodacom did not want to give any details about their planned launch, but it is rumoured that the company is ready to roll out its commercial WiMax services in days rather than weeks.<\/p>\n
iBurst said that its commercial WiMax launch is expected to take place in mid-August. The company did not want to divulge any additional details about the service, saying that it would communicate the exact date and pricing structure closer to the time.<\/p>\n
Residential customers can expect 512Kbps and 1Mbps offerings with either a 5GB or 10GB cap. <\/p>\n
There will also be WiMax Assured Rate services aimed at businesses as a Diginet replacement service. These services will be prioritised over WiMax Broadband traffic and offer symmetrical assured rate options of 64Kbps, 128Kbps and 256Kbps. <\/p>\n
The Asymmetrical Assured Rate service will offer speeds of 128Kbps, 256Kbps and 512Kbps. No caps will apply on either service.<\/p>\n
No prices for any of the services have been revealed.<\/p>\n