Mobile broadband has come of age and now offers the kind of ‘available everywhere’ high-speed Internet access that users are looking for. That is the message from communications technology provider Ericsson, the company responsible for the first WCDMA phone call and HSDPA deployment on the continent.
Mobile broadband has come of age and now offers the kind of ‘available everywhere’ high-speed Internet access that users are looking for. That is the message from communications technology provider Ericsson, the company responsible for the first WCDMA phone call and HSDPA deployment on the continent.
A prominent force driving the evolution of mobile communications in Africa, Ericsson believes now is the right time for South African companies and consumers alike to investigate the long term benefits of going wireless.
"Broadband is becoming an indispensable commodity in today's information society," confirms Robert Wuestenenk, senior manager: Broadband Networks for Ericsson's market unit sub-Saharan Africa (MUSA). "It is still a relatively young technology with a strong future and will continue to be developed. It is not an interim solution like EDGE."
The generation gap
The experience of fixed broadband in the office and home has transformed consumer expectations for data services and stimulated demand for similar services while on the move. "Mobile networks were not able to provide the bit rates expected at first," admits Wuestenenk, "but 3G has closed that gap."
Referring to the high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) services launched by mobile operators earlier this year, Wuestenenk explains that users can now obtain download speeds of up to 1,8 Mbps. "That is faster than some conventional ADSL connections provide," he maintains.
"The proliferation of laptops, PDAs, smartphones and other wireless devices is driving consumers and companies to demand better mobile data services and, in effect, the convergence of the Internet and mobile telephony," explains Wuestenenk. "People want to access information quickly and effectively from wherever they are."
Next logical step
Wuestenenk believes that mobile broadband is the next logical step for businesses already reaping the productivity benefits of fixed broadband. "Enabling employees to be online at all times is a great way of keeping them in touch with clients, suppliers and colleagues," he explains. "This helps ensure business continuity as staff can conveniently, securely access the company network from remote locations."
Mobile broadband can also boost field service productivity directly by enabling mobile personnel to enter and update orders while on the move, thereby reducing the amount of time employees spend retrieving information for colleagues unable to access it remotely. "As well as replacing the more inefficient paper-based systems used by field personnel, mobile broadband can also reduce the need for expensive site visits," observes Wuestenenk.
Movers and shakers
Wuestenenk also acknowledges the growing need amongst executives for 'everywhere, anytime' access to e-mail, calendars, documents and the Internet so that they can keep abreast of things even when travelling. "We are all becoming mobile workers these days," he notes. "Who can really afford to lose connectivity and miss that critical e-mail or call?"
Although mobile broadband offers businesses huge advantages, Wuestenenk is quick to point out the benefits to consumers in general. "Mobile broadband allows consumers to access media services such as music and TV wherever they are," he confirms. "Individuals can use their notebooks or mobile phones to surf the Internet at ADSL speeds and download large volumes of data such as movies or large e-mail attachments faster than ever before."
An all communicating world
Broadband is the fastest growing telecommunications service ever. Estimates suggest that there are already more than two billion users worldwide and Ericsson sees mobile broadband as the next natural evolution of the service.
"We are committed to driving the upgrade to mobile broadband," confirms Wuestenenk. "It is part of our vision of an all communicating world in which people all over the world have access to mobile broadband services at any time, from anywhere and through any device."
For more information contact Annabel Cele, Ericsson, +27 (0) 11 844 2070, annabel.cele@ericsson.com
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