Users are opting to connect to the Internet without cables with new wireless broadband

19 May 2004 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

South African business and home Internet users are cutting the cord on traditional Internet access and snapping up new wireless broadband Internet services as well as satellite connections as they are rolled out.

"The proliferation of mobile computing devices on the market - from Internet-enabled cellphones to sophisticated laptop PCs - has resulted in a strong demand for wireless data services," says Winston Smith, portfolio manager of broadband products at Sentech.

In the past, wireless Internet services were available but they were slow, limited and expensive. "These days, fast, convenient, reliable and inexpensive broadband wireless Internet services are available for about half of what it costs for traditional analog dial-up Internet access," he says.

MyWireless is a suite of wireless broadband Internet products that provides high-speed wire-free connections to the Internet. By simply plugging a PCMCIA modem or USB modem into a mobile computing device, one obtains a fast, reliable wireless connection to the Internet. The modems are able to link to the Internet via special radio frequencies to high-site masts at strategic locations in South Africa's major cities.

Smith says MyWireless is not the same as so-called wi-fi hotspots. "Wireless broadband Internet access covers a much broader area - the 'footprint' of wi-fi is much smaller and confined to small areas - like airport lounges, for example. A wi-fi connection is not as fast as broadband and requires a separate Internet access point."

Another popular wireless technology for Internet users is a satellite connection. Using an always-on, off-the-shelf, bi-directional, satellite-based very small aperture terminal (VSAT) service that always includes Internet access, consumers and businesses anywhere in South Africa are able to access the Internet completely wirelessly. No terrestrial connection is required at all for Sentech's VSTAR service via satellite technology. Quick and easy to install, VSAT allows high-speed two-way communication and is also always-on.

For more information contact Maureen Mphatsoe, Sentech, 011 691 7050.

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