Thomas Makore, CEO of Spescom Telecommunications is very positive about the potential of wireless technology in this country. Makore sees parallels with the Internet revolution and the mobile telephony market in that the real impact of wireless is currently underestimated.
Wireless technology is a buzzword in the media but many people regard it as just more jargon from the technology sector - not realising what it involves.
South African businesses are aware of the term but many do not understand how the implementation of wireless can actually change the economic landscape of the country.
"Government has stated that it has a strategic objective to halve unemployment in South Africa by 2015," says Makore. "The ICT sector is pivotal to the achievement of this goal. It is globally acknowledged by organisations like the United Nations and the World Bank that national development and economic growth are inextricably linked to a country's telecommunications capabilities."
The deployment of wireless technology will facilitate faster and more affordable telecommunications access for both the business world and the man in the street.
"The key point is that wireless technology has come of age," says Makore. "It delivers on its promises, is no longer just for the élite users, is quick to deploy and - most importantly - is more cost-effective than deploying new copper-cable infrastructure. It includes Wi-Fi, WiMAX and high-speed cellular data services. Wireless can be used to allow more people to access the Internet at very affordable rates - it is an enabling technology for people and the overall economy."
South African ICT companies, like Spescom, have a vital role to play, he says. "Spescom Telecommunications is essentially a solutions provider," says Makore. "We build, service and support the infrastructure necessary for wireless technology. We work closely with other role players - network service providers, ISPs and so on - to make this happen, so they can focus on their core business of service provisioning.
"What is needed now is a collective momentum to drive the realisation of the potential for wireless technology. This includes the fixed-line operators, the mobile operators, ISPs, ICASA - which has a critical role - and government itself. The goal is that every person must have access to affordable broadband and the funding to achieve that will come from both private and public sectors. Companies like ourselves, leading players in providing the infrastructure required, have a pivotal role in this initiative.
"Education of the market and consumers is another critical point which needs a joint effort and common will and purpose. Nowhere is the potential more obvious than in under-serviced rural areas. Wireless was formerly seen as an élite solution and then one with great market potential in urban areas - just like mobile telephony 10 years ago.
"Consider, however, the massive impact wireless can have on rural society. Millions of people in such areas are part of the formal economy but they have limited access to news, banking services and so on. Wireless can change their lives by enabling Internet access and bringing these people into the mainstream economy, for the benefit of all," concludes Makore.
For more information contact Spescom Telecommunications, +27 (0) 11 266 1874.
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