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Johannesburg - Internet service provider iBurst has rolled out a prototype for triple-play solutions, which will enable residential estates to become service providers in their own right.
Triple-play telecommunications systems combine voice telephony, internet access and television services from a single provider. Analysts expect this approach to become an important focus area within telecommunications.
iBurst partner Goldnet has installed the solution at the Monaghan Farm residential estate north of Johannesburg. The network makes use of fibre-optic cable installed at the estate that connects to iBurst's network using a wireless microwave link.
iBurst CEO Jannie van Zyl said this essentially enables the estate to become an internet service provider in its own right, selling services to residents - something which would have been impossible from a legislative perspective just three years ago.
Monaghan Farm residents will be able to rent a telephone and internet line for R59 a month, with additional costs from R50 a month for voice service and R300 a month for data. DStv television channels can be delivered over the network too, at an additional cost.
Said iBurst's head of commercial services, Steve Briggs: "Traffic, security and other lifestyle considerations are prompting many South Africans to move into secure gated communities such as Monaghan.
"We are seeing a growing demand for triple-play solutions of this nature as the trend continues."
No dishes needed
Briggs added that buried fibre-optic cables remove the need for satellite dishes and other infrastructure to be installed above the ground at the estate. Each house at Monaghan has fibre running to it which can be used to access a 5Mbps internet connection.
Briggs said that the nature of fibre-optics also allows for the network to be upgraded to substantially larger speeds in the future, without requiring new equipment.
MD of World Wide Worx Strategy Steven Ambrose said the potential demand for this solution is huge.
"Most of the northern hemisphere is migrating away from ADSL to fibre to the home (FTTH) or cable connectivity that offers speeds in the region of 100Mbps and more," Ambrose said. "In South Africa we are still trying to catch up with 4Mbps ADSL."
The inhibitor to high speed fibre to the home in SA is cost, and the low housing density - something that housing estates, especially new ones, overcome, Ambrose said.
- Fin24.com
