Broadband network group Sentech yesterday launched its MyWireless Internet connectivity service in the Western Cape and is slowly coming to grips with the province's environmentally conscious citizens.
The Western Cape is the last of the major urban areas to receive the service after it was introduced in Gauteng and the Durban areas. The main problem with the province's roll out was the environmental impact studies that had to be carried out before a base station could be installed.
"While we are sensitive to the environmental needs of the area, we do feel that the process of getting approval could be speeded up as telecommunications are a cornerstone of economic development," Sentech CEO Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane says.
Environmental impact studies and the policy of "least resistance" of local authorities means that the installation of equipment, such as base stations, can be held up even if only a single member of the public complains about it. Third cellular phone license holder Cell C has experienced similar difficulties with installing its equipment in the Western Cape.
Sentech's GM: marketing, Michelle Potgieter, says the company has ambitious plans for the roll-out of base stations in the Western Cape.
"By year-end, we expect to have about 18 base stations operational and this will mean about 80% of the population will be covered," Potgieter says.
Sentech has so far installed four base stations in the Western Cape, namely: central Cape Town, Cape Town International Airport, Milnerton and Salt River. Other areas to be connected soon are Camps Bay, Blouberg, Tygerberg, and Wynberg.
Winston Smith, Sentech portfolio manager of broadband products, says: "MyWireless is the first broadband alternative to traditional, fixed-line dial-up Internet connections. There are no irritating dial-up delays and usage costs. The service is not delivered by wire-line and not by satellite, but by secure, world standard, high-powered radio technology across high sites within the coverage areas."
MyWireless comes in three versions - 128, 256 and 512kbps. The different product offerings are priced at a fixed monthly fee of R649, R849 and R1449 per month respectively.
Smith says the service is suitable for residential and business users alike. There is a once-off R500 activation fee and the offering includes the modem.
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