Cable could become obsolete as wireless takes off
29 August 2001
News
The business case for cable-based networks in certain market sectors will be rendered redundant in two years, by when wireless networks will come to dominate the market as a more useful, convenient and cheaper way of installing and maintaining intranets.
"This will also impact on the mobile environment, where employees will be able to use their company's networks for mobile communications, be it via a laptop or cellphone," says Dave Shepherdson, CEO of SPS South Africa, the value-added networking distributor. "I foresee the demand for wireless networking being similar to the take-off of cellular telephony in South Africa."
His predictions are supported by two recent international reports. A survey conducted by Digi International at Las Vegas' Networld and Interop trade show found that 67% of mid-to-senior IT networking and management decision-makers intend to adopt wireless connecting devices in industrial automation and retail environments. SPS represents Digi products in South Africa.
The move to wireless was also noted in a March 2001 report by Gartner Group, which predicted that spending on wireless technologies, while currently subordinate to cable, will grow faster in absolute terms, at an annual rate of 21,3%.
Although cost is currently regarded as a barrier to entry, Shepherdson says this is inaccurate as device prices are dropping, and when the savings incurred through not physically having to cable buildings are factored in, wireless networks will soon be lower-cost than cable.
"Unless a company wants to use a bandwidth-intensive application such as videoconferencing, wireless is ideal for all other business applications, be they static, graphic or text-based," Shepherdson says, pointing out that wireless already provides a throughput of 11,3 Mb to the desktop.
"The potential in retail alone is huge, with cash registers, barcode scanners, credit card readers, ordering forms and data query facilities all being made mobile and instantly accessible. When combined with existing thin client technology, there can be little doubt that wireless networking is set to be the next great revolution in digital communication," Shepherdson concludes.
For further information contact Dave Shepherdson, SPS, (011) 315 6892, [email protected]
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version