THE potential for broadband wireless services is looking increasingly promising with the new technology standards that are being created and new devices that will enable users to access data and content at higher speeds while mobile.

"People want the ability to read e-mails and access their diaries and access corporate applications while on the move, with fast response times," says Werner Lindemann, principal for wireless business at IBM.

He says companies are starting to build secure corporate portals to allow employees to do this.

One of the latest wireless standards to be introduced is 802.16, which provides speeds of up to 60 megabits per second across a wide area network (WAN).

Technology such as 802.16 is making it possible, for the first time, to have similar highspeed throughput on wide area networks that has been possible for some time in the local area network environment, says Lindemann.

Software is available to allow users to roam between different wireless standards, such as 802.11 on the LAN, and 802.16 and general packet radio service (GPRS) on the WAN. Once deregulation issues around broadband are resolved, municipalities could play a major role in the deployment of metropolitan networks.

"The regulator has ruled that anyone can set up a wireless LAN hotspot as long as it is deployed on private property, but the municipalities own the public infrastructure, within the boundaries of their jurisdiction."

In addition, the mobile networks could mount wireless broadband antennas on their masts and run voice and data services over them to complement their existing cellular services.

The first one to do this would corner the market and the others will be forced to follow suit or lose out to the competition, says Lindemann.

While waiting for broadband wireless to open up, it is already possible to implement innovative mobile applications in SA using GPRS on the cellular networks, says Lindemann.

Possibilities include field technicians on a mine ordering parts and accessing information on how to fix equipment online.

Policemen could have details and even pictures of stolen vehicles on their mobile devices.

IBM has become a major player in the international wireless broadband space.

"We are helping the telcos and other service providers to deploy wireless broadband services, ensure they are commercially viable and take them to market."

He says the company's Websphere e-business solution includes software components that accommodate back office integration, mobile roaming, user authentication and self-help services.

Feb 10 2004 07:23:37:000AM  Business Day 1st Edition