Wireless option for SA
2004-09-10 09:08
Johannesburg - Telkom and Intel Corporation on Thursday announced a collaboration to trial-run next-generation WiMAX broadband wireless networks in South Africa.
This broadband technology will enable a wireless alternative for the "last mile" broadband connectivity for business as well as residential customers, and will likely connect many to the internet for the first time.
"Delivery of last mile access has and will continue to be one of the biggest technical challenges facing the information and communications technology (ICT) industry," Reuben September, Telkom's chief technical officer, said.
"Broadband offering cannot only be resolved with DSL or fibre solutions. Customers today want portability and mobility in addition to just broadband connectivity.
"Wireless broadband technology has the potential to satisfy these customer demands. In addition, this technology has the potential of opening new market opportunities through fillings gaps and complementing the fixed line networks."
John Davies, Intel Corporation vice president of the Sales and Marketing Group, said: "Broadband wireless networks like WiMAX have particular appeal in emerging market segments like South Africa where new areas are being developed that today have limited wired infrastructure."
- SAPA