Which devices are supported by the
iBurst™ system e.g. laptops, desktops, handhelds?
Initially the iBurst service will be available
via an iBurst "Access Card" (PCMCIA) for laptops
and desktop modems for fixed setups.
It is also anticipated that the iBurst service
will soon be available to Pocket PC (PDA) devices
via the iBurst Access Card. In future iBurst
communication will be available via compact
flash cards and also embedded in devices.
The iBurst system works with Windows 98 SE,
XP and 2000. It also works with Mac version
X or later and Linux.
It is possible to use the desktop modem to
provide a broadband link to a local network
which may be a traditional wired LAN or a wireless
LAN using an 802.11 access point.
With this configuration it will be possible
to have multiple devices sharing a single iBurst
connection. Due to the likely increased usage
there will be a premium charged for this mode
of operation over a typical single user account.
Previously there have been several technologies
that provide one or two of these (e.g. DSL:
high speed, low cost but low mobility; 3G: High
speed, high mobility but high cost) but iBurst
is the first technology to provide all three.
The coverage of the service is expanding
over time as we carry out our rapid rollout
of the service. The iBurst service will be commercially
launched with coverage of the CBD and northern
suburbs of Johannesburg as well as establish
coverage in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.
http://www.dialsa.co.za/
How fast is it ?
Under ideal conditions the iBurst system
can download (data to you) at up to 1 megabits
per second (Mbps) and upload (data from you)
at up to 345 kilobits per second (Kbps).
The degree to which these maximum speeds
are attained depends on the quality of the signal
which is influenced by several factors:
- The distance you are from the nearest base
station
- Whether there are obstructions between you
and the base station
- How many other people are connected via
your base station
The speed at which you are traveling
Additionally, the speed of access is greatly
influenced by all the normal Internet factors
such as the speed of the server you are communicating
with and the speed and usage levels of the links
that the communication is going over.
How does the iBurst service improve
productivity?
The iBurst service improves productivity
in many ways including:
The mobility of the system means that you
can be fully productive no matter where you
are, whether in the office or out in the field.
You need not waste time returning to the office
to perform transactions or update data, all
facilities are at your finger tips no matter
where you are at the time.
Similarly, the mobility of the iBurst service
means that there is no downtime, except when
you want it. If you commute for long periods,
iBurst can keep you fully productive for this
period, freeing up time in their day for other
activities,
A high speed connection to your company network
and the Internet dramatically broadens the amount
of information and services you can call upon
in the field. A laptop used offline with only
local data to work with cannot help in unforeseen
circumstances. For example, if you are visiting
a client and cannot find their office, you can
look at the client's web site to check the address
and go to an online mapping site to get a map
to direct you to the location.
How does the iBurst service compare
with 2.5G/GPRS?
2.5G and GPRS are terms used for the data
service delivered over standard mobile phone
networks. These are significantly slower (20
to 30 Kbps) and more expensive than the iBurst
service.
How does the iBurst service compare
with WiFi (Wireless LAN, 802.11)?
WiFi is an extremely useful technology for
providing localized wireless connectivity for
a group of related users. In the scenario of
an office or a home environment it is ideal.
However, it does not work well with wide
area, public communications access. This is
firstly due to its range of up to 100 meters,
limiting it generally to one premise such as
an office or a café.
Authorizing users for access is another impediment.
Due to the haphazard way WiFi public access
points are being deployed, allowing for a user
to identify themselves and pay for the service
is proving to be a severe challenge for service
providers and results in great inconvenience
for the user.
In contrast, iBurst has much greater range
and thus blankets entire metropolitan areas
so the customer can expect coverage where they
are rather than have to seek out hotspot locations.
Billing is centralized and standardised as the
network is being run and coordinated by one
company for the entire country.
How much power will the iBurst modem
use on my laptop?
The iBurst modem power usage is comparable
to that of a WiFi device. Power consumption
is dependant on the following factors:
- Level of activity - there is less power
consumed when the system is idle
- Direction of data - there is less power
consumed receiving data than sending it
- Signal strength - there is less power consumed
when within good coverage
Can I use an external antenna with
my iBurst user terminal?
Only WBS's recommended external antenna from
a supplier approved by WBS should be used. This
ensures that they comply with requirements of
the iBurst system.
How does the iBurst service compare
with other wide-area wireless broadband services?
At launch the iBurst service will be the
only mobile wireless broadband provider in South
Africa.
Other wireless broadband providers in the
market only offer fixed services. This means
that their customers cannot be on the move while
connected. Further, their base stations cannot
hand-off users to balance load between them.
In addition, due to the iBurst technology
and the frequency it operates at, you can expect
better coverage at greater distances, even indoors,
than the other services at a higher data rate.
How does the iBurst service compare
with 3G?
3G is the mobile data service for the next
generation of mobile phone network. Whereas
3G primarily builds on a voice platform, iBurst
is an optimised data platform designed as an
end to end ip network. Due to the extremely
high spectral efficiency of iBurst, it can be
offered in a cost effective fashion.
What is the range of an iBurst base
station?
An iBurst base station's range extends from
approximately 3 km in built up or hilly areas
with lots of clutter, to approximately 13 km
in ideal conditions such as water or flat land.
How do you send outgoing email on
the iBurst network?
Subscribers can send emails by setting the
SMTP server or outgoing mail server in the email
program (e.g. MS Outlook or MS Outlook Express)
to smtp.wbs.co.za
How can my MTU settings in some cases
improve iBurst performance?
MTUs are specially critical when users are
using iBurst connectivity on a networked environment
with routers and firewalls. Since iBurst is
based on PPP, default Windows MTU settings of
1500 cannot be used, and should be adjusted,
even if problems are not experienced, to optimise
iBurst connectivity. Correctly set MTU will
prevent and/or avoid packet fragmentation, causing
packets to be dropped, resulting in degraded
connectivity.
Symptoms of incorrectly set MTUs:
- Inability to browse certain content intensive
sites, e.g. www.microsoft.com, www.hotmail.com,
www.vodacom.co.za
- Extremely poor upload connectivity
- Slow download performance
To set your MTUs on MS Windows 2000/XP based
platforms, you can download DrTCP from:
http://www.dslreports.com/front/DRTCP021.exe
Alternatively, use search engines on "Download
DrTCP" for many other DrTCP sites.
Quick instructions:
If user is connected directly to UTD (USB or
ethernet) or UTC PCMCIA modem, set the "Dial
Up (RAS) MTU" to recommended value. If user
is using alternative means to connect to modem,
e.g. wireless 802.11x access point router, or
UTP to router, select the appropriate adapter
on "Adapter Settings" and set the MTU. All other
fields on DrTCP window should be left unchanged.
Once MTU is set, click "Save" and reboot machine.
The recommended MTU for iBurst is 1352.
