South African Trial WiMAX Network Faces Closure
A trial WiMAX network in South Africa will be closed down at the end of the month after the regulator decided not to extend the trial license. MWeb, which has been running trials with some 1,000 customers in Cape Town and Gauteng hopes to convert its existing value-added network services license to one which would permit WiMAX services.
“We asked ICASA if it would be possible to continue running the trial until the allocation of WiMax spectrum has been announced, but they said it was not possible for them to allow it,” the GM for new business projects at MWeb Eugene van der Westhuizen told the ITWeb news publication.
The company plans to mothball the network infrastructure when it is shut-down, pending the possible realignment of its VAS license.
“ICASA accepted our written proposal, and in March we presented alongside the other VANs at a hearing with the regulator. We will do everything we can to help ICASA facilitate the WiMax spectrum allocation,” explains Van der Westhuizen.
If the license is adjusted - the company plans a roll-out of some 450 base stations - which is about double the coverage currently offered byrival WiMAX operator, I-Burst.
On the web: ITWeb
Posted to the site on 5th April 2008
