WiMAX: The Future of Mobile Broadband Internet in Kenya?

Last week, I was chatting with Rebecca Wanjiku about the future of Internet access in Kenya. This was after I read her blog post about having some problems with her Safaricom Internet connection.

This chat piqued my interest in WiMAX after realizing that One Communications has partnered with Airspan to roll out a countrywide WiMAX network in Kenya.

Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that it has been selected by One Communications (OneCom), a newly-acquired subsidiary of Safaricom, as their WiMAX infrastructure partner in OneCom's roll out of a nationwide WiMAX network across Kenya...[read more]

At the same time, Wananchi is rolling out Zuku, an triple-play solution (Cable TV, Broadband Internet and Phone). Zuku is a wireless connection whose initial installation cost is Ksh 5,800. The monthly fee is Ksh 2,999 for an unlimited 256 kbps (shared - at least they do admit this) internet connection. You can read more here or contact Zuku directly on 020 329 2900. See the Zuku web site here.

Assuming that the future of internet in Kenya is mobile broadband, there is need for a proper understanding of broadband, mobile broadband and how this compares to the traditional cable and the now familiar OTA (over the air) GSM internet solutions.

Broadband
Broadband has no exact universal definiton. The Wikipedia article on Broadband Internet Access however sheds some light.

Although various minimum speeds have been used in definitions of broadband, ranging up from 64 kbit/s up to 1.0 Mbit/s, the 2006 OECD report is typical in counting only download speeds equal to or faster than 256 kbit/s as broadband, and the US FCC currently defines broadband as anything above 768 kbit/s. Speeds are defined in terms of maximum download because several common consumer broadband technologies such as ADSL are “asymmetric” — supporting much slower maximum upload speeds than download.

You can get more on this definition here.

WiMAX
WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.

WiMAX is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, see http://www.ieee.org) standard designated 802.16-2004 (fixed wireless applications) and 802.16e-2005 (mobile wire-less). The industry trade group WiMAX ForumTM (http://www.wimaxforum.org ) has defined WiMAX as a "last mile" broadband wireless access (BWA) alternative to cable modem service, telephone company Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or T1/E1 service [read more].

Mobile WiMAX
Mobile WiMAX is the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard. According to Wireless Overview,

...service providers and vendors can use 802.16e to target a wider variety of applications and markets than with any other technology, a key difference over 3G which is not suitable for broadband access and Fixed WiMAX (802.16d), which can not support mobility.

Mobile WiMAX is exhaustively explained here.

That said, there is need for consumer awareness even as the telecommunications sector in Kenya becomes very exciting. Fortunately, there has been seemingly endless talk about tariff wars between Zain Kenya and Safaricom. Another very hot topic both online and offline is the Safaricom 3G internet bundles.

Time will tell if mobile broadband internet powered by WiMAX eventually carries the day. Airspan has introduced MiMAX, a USB mobile WiMAX modem that makes your PC or notebook computer mobile WiMAX ready.
Meanwhile, Intel is blazing the trail in ensuring mobile broadband is universally achieved through Intel WiMAX Technology.

Once again, all these developments further enhance my steadfast belief that our best days are indeed ahead of us. With stiff competition, new technologies and an ever growing demand for ICT services and products, the future is surely exciting.

Do you think Mobile Broadband (powered by WiMAX) is the future of Internet in Kenya?