Wireless: no walk in the park
Australia's fledgling wireless market, however, is under threat. With many of the early adopters of wireless broadband turned off the service due to what was initially an unreliable service, current providers are concerned that shonky operators could further alienate a sceptical public.
Wireless Internet providers are quick to emphasise the complexity of rolling out a reliable wireless broadband service.
Janine Jones, sales manager for Melbourne-based wireless broadband provider Pacific Wireless, says that the facilities to operate a robust wireless network represent a significant investment.
"Smaller operators using consumer grade equipment with little or no infrastructure struggle to deliver appropriate service levels," Jones said. "Whilst we welcome competitors to help lift the profile of the industry, the trend for small companies to purchase a few antennas and begin promoting themselves as wireless providers can seriously impact on the reputation of the industry as a whole."
Peter Karidis, director of operations at Adelaide-based Airnet, criticises the gung-ho approach adopted by many of the smaller carriers.
"There are many operators that don't know the fundamentals of building networks - even if they are using the latest technologies, if they don't follow the proper procedures they won't provide a reliable service," Karidis says. "There is a myth out there that you can install a few links without the right expertise."
Similarly, Floyd Kriauza, corporate development manager for Melbourne-based Omniconnect, points out that reliable city-based connections generally don't compete with ADSL, as the requirement to create a reliable connection through a licensed spectrum places it beyond a competitive price range.
"In country areas you can depend on using an unlicensed spectrum, because there is less traffic, so it becomes more affordable," Kriauza says.
Capitalising on this, providers such as Planet Netcom are rolling out services on the outskirts of Sydney where the wireless spectrum is less subject to traffic and noise. Having spent the last 12 months installing infrastructure and conducting a pilot program of their network covering 2500 square kilometres in the Penrith and Hawkesbury valleys, the company has plans to launch the service commercially in February 2003.
"ADSL is pretty much everywhere in this area, except for a couple of housing estates, but we have a product which is competitively priced against ADSL, and we offer customers a range of options in terms of speed and delivery methods," explains Planet Netcom managing director Luke MacKinnon. "We use a lot of packet shaping to give customers different service options, and you have chosen locations to install the wireless access points to minimise the noise and traffic."
If successful, MacKinnon plans to roll out similar services throughout regional areas in New South Wales and Queensland.
Increasing numbers of wireless broadband service providers competing in the major capitals and rolling out services into regional areas is good news for consumers, offering broadband alternatives where previously there have been none, and in some cases providing competition to ADSL and other broadband services in the area.
While it is predominantly focused on the corporate market, home users in areas where ADSL and other broadband alternatives are not available may well find it worth their while to opt for a wireless solution. However, consumers need to be on guard regarding service levels, installation time, upload and download speeds, service provision, payment plans, equipment and service level agreements.
