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FAQ
Initially the iBurst service will be available via an iBurst "Access Card" (PCMCIA) for laptops. In February 2004 it will be available via an iBurst "Access Bridge" desktop modem for fixed setups. Also in February, it is anticipated the iBurst service will be available to Pocket PC 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.
Currently the iBurst system is only available commercially in Australia but there are several locations throughout the world where networks are being established. Visit the ArrayComm
site for more information on these.
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.
The iBurst system combines the three characteristics of: * High speed 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 was commercially launched with coverage of the CBD and surrounds of Sydney. Subsequent rollout will extend the Sydney coverage as well as establish coverage in Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra during 2004. Other capitals will follow in 2005. For more information
go to our web site and select the “Get iBurst” link
then “Network Coverage”.
Go to our web site and
select the “Get iBurst” link then
“Network Coverage”. 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) (which is also .345 Mbps). 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 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.
The iBurst service helps 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.
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.
WiFi is an extremely useful technology for providing localised 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 premises such as an office or a café. Authorising 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 centralised and standardised as the network is being run and coordinated by one company for the entire country.
Currently the iBurst service is the only mobile wireless broadband provider in Australia. There are other wireless broadband providers in the market, but they are 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.
3G is the mobile data service for the next generation of mobile phone network. Currently there is only one provider of this service, namely “3”. 3G is theoretically faster than 2.5G but generally not significantly faster. As with 2.5G, the data is more expensive than data over the iBurst service and, due to the newness of this technology, the initial services and devices are proving to be quite unstable.
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.
600 grams.
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 |