In the ongoing battle between wireless and fiber connections, wireless continues to prove its ascendance. IT – Online reported while fiber deployments offer high data speeds, the demand for high-speed internet cannot be met with fiber. In some urban areas, the wait for fiber termination points can be as long as two years, and rural areas simply do not have access to fiber altogether. Meanwhile, a wireless solution is faster to deploy, and just as effective.
Eckart Zollner, head of business development at Jasco Group, a South African-based company specializing in ‘smart’ technologies, detailed the benefits of wireless technology. He says, “Wireless PtP [point to point] solutions offer organizations the benefit of fast deployment, reasonable costs and, thanks to technological advancements, increasing stability.”
The technology is especially useful for businesses, which typically outsource email and business application services, and would benefit from last mile, wireless PtP connections. The cost for deployment is also cheaper, as wireless infrastructure can be shared, and PtP connections can be utilized with equipment from the wireless provider. In comparison, fiber requires a large capital investment, and may take months to determine whether an area will provide a justifiable income.
Zollner expects demand for wireless to increase as the market learns of its benefits. While it may not completely replace fiber, Zollner believes wireless technology will continue as a primary source of connectivity, as well as offer a redundant solution to fiber connections.
March 9, 2017
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