BROADBAND DIFFERENCES

How do the 3G/HSDPA & ADSL offerings differ from MyWireless & iBurst?

Vodacom and MTN with 3G / HSDPA: Their broadband offering hangs on the back of their cellular network. The extensive coverage provided by their existing network ensures greater reliability in terms of coverage and therefore aids mobility, but true 3G and HSDPA is only available where the base stations are 3G and HSDPA enabled. Where they are not enabled, the network reverts to EDGE or GPRS technology. Their offering is aimed at the corporate user, SME or home user. Users with high data requirements are supported, but will attract greater costs. At this stage no warning is provided for over-use, but clients are charged accordingly.

ADSL: Telkom's broadband offering is fixed line-based and is therefore reliant on a landline, as are their standard telephone lines and dedicated ISDN lines. Whilst it is true broadband, the deployment is slow due to the need to install an ADSL line. Contracts can be capped (per MB) or can be unlimited. Telkom provides the ADSL line to the Internet and an ISP (i.e. Nashua Mobile: Broadband Division) provides the Internet Access.

iBurst: Their broadband offering hangs on the back of their own network which has been built on a data platform. Download speed is determined by signal strength and there are antennas available to boost the signal in poorer coverage areas. Coverage areas are in all major city centers and growing rapidly.