Last year, industry players identified powerline communication (PLC), or broadband over powerlines, as a possible positive contributor to the African market, particularly in terms of providing competition and enhancing rural connectivity.
This will be one of the topics discussed at ITWeb's Broadband and Wireless 2007 conference next week.
Fernando Nogueira, ICT project manager for Eskom, says the solution is still a good option. "The technology is a relatively mature solution in SA today. Some manufacturers are even on their second generation of equipment."
According to Nogueira, the biggest challenge is not the maturity of the industry, but getting a cost-effective and scalable backhaul solution, such as WiMax or fibre, to the curb.
Nogueira says the lack of regulation in the industry is the biggest barrier to the implementation of PLC in SA. "And should regulations be formed, then it should encourage the use of the technology; however, with the explicit understanding that the service provider would be responsible for resolving any interference problems with existing services."
Teddy Naidoo, telecommunications manager for City Power Johannesburg, says there is no single entry barrier. "The delay experienced up to now was the availability of the latest technology."
Naidoo adds the technology is now available in SA and ready for commercial roll-out.
Both Nogueira and Naidoo will present the PLC case during the powerline panel at the ITWeb Broadband and Wireless 2007 conference, at Gallagher Estate, on 9 and 10 October.
They will be joined by Adrian Maguire, MD of Goal Technology Solutions, and Charles Kuun, manager of Tshwane Digital Hub, to discuss the viability of the technology as a broadband alternative.
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