Internet Solutions (IS), a division of Dimension Data, has launched the first DSL connectivity solution in South Africa to offer a GSM network failover, providing organisations with an essential business continuity option should their primary DSL line go down.
“What makes this solution unique and a first of its kind in South Africa is that clients will be able to failover to the GSM network on their existing static IP address,” says Mark Hamburger, General Manager: Network Services at IS. “This is achieved through the use of a converged Billion router that supports both the DSL and GSM connection and creates a tunnel on either end of the network. This allows a business to failover to a completely separate GSM network infrastructure to maintain connectivity in the event of a primary link failure, all within 90 seconds of losing connectivity, without any noticeable drop in services.”
Line monitoring, already used on all IS DSL services, will initiate the failover should a primary link failure occur. “Notifications are sent via SMS or e-mail to alert clients in the event of primary link failure, GSM activation or de-activation, as well as the unlikely event of a dual failure of both primary and back-up connections,” says Hamburger. “Customers can also view utilisation on both their Business DSL and GSM failover connections via the IS Customer Zone. Viewing GSM data usage stats and account and SIM management can also be done on IS' Mobility Manager Web interface.”
Businesses will be billed on a pay-per-use or pay-as-you-go basis for transferring data over the GSM network should their DSL line go down. “With many businesses moving over to DSL due to the associated costs, this billing model makes the failover to GSM solution an ideal addition to meet their connectivity and business continuity needs,” comments Hamburger.
“We see this as a very important addition to a business' fixed-line DSL solution, as constant up-time and uninterrupted connectivity are now non-negotiable requirements for just about every business. The failover to GSM solution offers a competent and efficient alternative means of connectivity, ensuring businesses have a level of redundancy so that they can stay connected and operational,” concludes Hamburger.
The failover to GSM will be offered as a value-add to all existing IS business DSL customers and will also be available as an optional extra as part of a bundled offering to all new and prospective clients. IS has started with the proof of concept testing on this solution and will be ready to launch in December 2009.
For information on this product or to order Dsl.failover@is.co.za
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Internet Solutions
Internet Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dimension Data. The company is southern Africa's most established and experienced Internet service provider. Since 1993, Internet Solutions has been providing end-to-end connectivity solutions and related services across the African continent. Internet Solutions is now also able to self-provision, having received an ECNS licence in 2009. This is enabling the company to deliver fully aggregated telecommunications services to the South African market.
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