Thursday, August 11, 2011

South Africa - ISPA argues for the importance of optical fibre as backhaul for other networks

[news24] Despite the exponential growth of wireless internet connectivity, cable broadband remains relevant in SA, the Internet Service Providers' Association (Ispa) said.

"The fibre is critical somewhere in the network, so even if I'm now getting an LTE 42mbps service from Vodacom, you're accessing the internet through that; you're getting to the closest base station. What happens once it gets to the base station? Fibre," Dominic Cull, Ispa regulatory advisor told News24.

Cull said that despite the rise in mobile wireless devices, broadband would continue to rely on cable for the foreseeable future.

"There's got to be fibre in your core network, even if your last mile is wireless," he said.

SA has seen an explosion of wireless devices and access to the internet via the wireless networks. Mobile operators have been racing to upgrade their networks as consumer demand for web access has expanded.

SA cable broadband still relevant - Ispa

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