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How does SouthNET's Wi-Fi work?
SouthNET's wireless broadband Internet service (Wi-Fi) sends packets of data at
high-speed through the air, i.e., wirelessly, between two points that have line-of-sight. The SouthNET Wi-Fi service operates in the public 2.4 GHz
frequency range, which is generally classified as being for Industrial, Scientific and Medical uses. Unlike licensed frequencies, one does not need to purchase a
licence to use equipment in the 2.4 GHz band, either in New Zealand, America or Europe if one adheres to certain power level restrictions.
SouthNET uses several wireless technologies. Aironet, which is manufactured by networking market-leader Cisco and Linksys, a subsidiary of Cisco. These
technologies are proven, reliable and versatile. They provide excellent performance at a cost often more competitive than DSL.
Detailed information about the technologies are available on:
www.cisco.com
Where does SouthNET's Wi-Fi work?
The SouthNET Wi-Fi service is now live in Invercargill's Central Business District,
Te Anau, Winton, and northern Central Southland.
What do I need to connect to SouthNET's Wi-Fi ?
That will depend on the size of your organisation and your individual requirements.
For a single SouthNET Wi-Fi user, one might use a wireless receiving card inserted into their PC, with an external antenna pointed to the SouthNET broadcast location.
Larger organizations may need an "air bridge" or stand-alone subscriber receiving unit that plugs directly into their LAN and becomes their gateway to the Internet.
It is important to remember that regardless of the individual hardware configuration, line-of-sight between SouthNET's broadcast antenna and the client's subscriber unit is a must.
What equipment is needed to use SouthNET Wi-Fi ?
Equipment Checklist
At a bare minimum, clients will require the following:
- Line-of-sight from their premises to top of
the Kelvin Hotel, Winton Seed Tower or Cone
Peak.
- A PC wireless card (individual PC) or bridge (LAN) to connect to.
- A external cabled antenna. Some nearby locations will be able to use a "patch antenna", a wee plastic box the size of two packets of cigarettes,
which can be affixed to a window or an exterior wall that has line-of-sight to a SouthNET broadcast site.
Other locations may require a larger "high gain" external antenna. There
are several Invercargill radio and cabling businesses with expertise in antenna cabling and cabling installations. Costs of installation may vary and will be paid by the client.
- A SouthNET Wi-Fi 800 account.
How much does SouthNET Wi-Fi cost?
The SouthNET Wi-Fi 800 Plan is priced at $79.95 + GST per month for 800 megabytes of traffic and 10c + GST for each additional megabyte up to 2 gigabytes per month..
Price on application for monthly usage plans for more than 2 gigabytes.
What are the benefits of SouthNET Wi-Fi?
SouthNET Wi-Fi is high-speed, reliable and cost-efficient.
Wi-Fi vs standard dial-up Internet connection
SouthNET Wi-Fi is "always-on." Unlike a standard dial-up modem, one does not have to dial to connect to the Internet. It maintains an "always-on" connection.
As SouthNET Wi-Fi does not use a Telecom phone line to dial with a modem to connect, use of the Wi-Fi service does not generate the four cents per minute fee Telecom charges non-residential clients for local calls.
Wi-Fi vs ADSL services
SouthNET Wi-Fi has the added benefit of being "mobile." While use of a DSL account is physically restricted to a single copper line, one can use a Wi-Fi
account from a number of locations, if those locations have line-of-sight with the broadcast site and good reception within the coverage area (tested up to 20+ kilometres in Wakatipu Basin).
As SouthNET Wi-Fi broadcast locations are added over time in Southland and Otago, one should be able to connect in any of those locations when
travelling on business or for pleasure.
Pricing Benefits vs some commercial ADSL services
Unlike certain DSL broadband services, SouthNET's wireless Internet broadband service offers a single pricing plan.
With SouthNET wireless Internet, you get what you pay for, but do not pay for
amounts not used above the minimum 800 plan.
Most broadband Internet users' usage fluctuates from month to month. With the SouthNET wireless Internet 800 plan, clients do not face significant additional
charges for data traffic they did not use.
For example if your home or business was on the DSL 1200 plan and you used another 800mb over your allocated monthly quota for that plan, i.e. 2.0 gigabyte,
you would be facing an account of $120 plus your ISP charges (normally $20) and an additional $136 in data charges. Total cost would be $276 + GST
The equivalent charges for SouthNET wireless Internet would be $200 + GST.
With commercial DSL, if you decided to increase the monthly plan above the
traffic threshold for the commercial DSL 1200 plan and only used one gigabyte of
traffic that month, you would still pay the commercial DSL 1800 charges.
With SouthNET wireless Internet, there is just one minimum monthly threshold: 800 megabytes. And above that, you only pay for what you use (10 cents per megabyte), not a higher monthly minimum fee.
The SouthNET wireless Internet 800 plan is extremely cost-effective and is up to 45% less expensive than some commercial DSL plans.
Can our traditional computer system experts furnish the wireless
hardware and get us going with SouthNET's Wi-Fi?
Yes. As your computer integration specialists, they will have an intimate knowledge of your systems and business requirements and should be able to
provide invaluable advice as to what will best suit your needs.
Since its inception in 1995, SouthNET has received excellent support from local
computer businesses in Invercargill, Southland and Otago, many of which continue to recommend SouthNET traditional Internet services to their computer
clients. We value these established relationships and look forward to working with these computer firms to make wireless Internet available to our current mutual clients and prospective new clients.
The wireless 2.4 GHz 802.11 has become a global standards, with many multi-billion dollar firms producing hardware solutions. Most established computer
integration, support and hardware sales firms in Southland and Otago will be able to source the wireless hardware products from their traditional computer distribution suppliers just by making a phone call.
So, feel free to give your computer experts a call about the new SouthNET wireless Internet service. As it is a relatively new technology, if they have any
questions, they should feel free to give us a ring. We will be pleased to assist.
Free, no-obligation SouthNET wireless broadband Internet service demonstration at your home or business. For additional background information or any specific questions, please feel free to e-mail us on:
wi-fi@southnet.co.nz
Thank you for your support.
SouthNET
South Net Ltd. is a 100% New Zealand Owned & Operated Business
www.southnet.co.nz
Phone: (64) 03-214-6136
Fax: (64) 03-214-6928 |
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