iBurst has introduced a software interface that allows subscribers to monitor their Internet signal strength, download and upload speeds, as well as data usage.
The interface is designed as a dashboard, showing three primary gauges that resemble those commonly found in a car, says the wireless Internet service provider.
"The dashboard allows subscribers to control their broadband costs by effectively monitoring their total, current and previous data usage," says iBurst CEO Thami Mtshali.
MyADSL founder Rudolph Muller describes the dashboard as "particularly valuable" as it allows users to easily check their usage and purchase additional bandwidth.
"Broadband consumers seldom experience performances similar to advertised speeds, and with this speed test hosted by iBurst, subscribers can easily check if they get what they pay for," he says.
Muller says while many of the features will not be useful to experienced broadband users, as they function as a rudimentary guide to broadband, the dashboard can assist people who are new to broadband Internet.
He notes that operators like Telkom, Sentech and iBurst have speed tests on their Web sites, and it would be of value to consumers if all other Internet service providers follow their lead.
The dashboard software is available to new customers on the supplied installation CD. Existing customers can download it from the iBurst Web site in the "Your Account" section.
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