What is iBurst?
iBurst provides simple, fast, secure, wireless mobile and portable access
to broadband services.
What is unique about the iBurst system?
The iBurst system combines the three characteristics of:
High Speed
True mobility
Low Cost
Most other "wireless broadband" providers utilise an Area Based vs. Personal Cell method of delivering connectivity. To see the difference please click on one of the image in the animation below.
Does it truly work on the move?
Yes, the greatest benefit is that iBurst is now able to deliver what
mobile professionals and people on the move have been waiting for; an
effective service that allows them to work/play anywhere and at anytime
inside the coverage areas.
There are few other tools that are more flexible or convenient than
a ‘permanently on’ wireless laptop connection which lets
you access email and the Internet from the backseat of a moving taxi,
an airport lounge, a park or the foyer of the building your next meeting
is in. No longer is there the need to hold off activities until finding
a location that provides connectivity, either wired or wireless
How do I access the service?
All you need to do is choose an iBurst service provider by going to
the Get It link on the iBurst This will take you through to your chosen
service providers website, where you get more information about how
to sign up for an iBurst service.
Which devices are supported by the iBurst system e.g. laptops,
desktops, handhelds?
The iBurst service is currently available via an iBurst laptop modem
for mobile use and a desktop modem for fixed setups. In the future iBurst
will be available for PDAs and there are plans to reduce the modem down
to compact flash card size and ultimately embed iBurst into devices.
Which operating systems does the iBurst system support?
The iBurst system works with Windows Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac
version 10.4 and above.
How fast is it?
Under ideal conditions the iBurst system can download (data coming to
you) at up to one 1Mbps and upload (data coming from you) at up to 345
Kbps.
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
Whether there are obstructions between you and the base station
How many other people are connected via your base station
The speed at which you are traveling
Additionally, the speed of access is greatly influenced by all the
usual 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.
Do I need to be near a window for it to work?
No not necessarily but being near a window can improved the strength
of your signal. The iBurst system uses fully adaptive smart antenna
technology which adjusts signal patterns to and from each user, creating
a “personal cell” for efficient delivery of voice or data
services. These personal cells will follow you as you move around, reducing
radio interference. You can be in a car travelling up to 100km per hour
and remain connected provided you are in a coverage area.
Can I share my iBurst connection with others?
It is possible to use the iBurst 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 on the iBurst desktop modem it is possible
to have multiple devices and users sharing a single iBurst connection.
How does the iBurst service improve productivity?
The iBurst service helps productivity in many ways:
The mobility of the system means that you can be fully productive
no matter where you are under coverage, whether in the office or out
in the field. You need not waste time returning to the office to perform
transactions or to update data, all facilities are at your finger
tips no matter where you are at the time under coverage.
Similarly, the mobility of the iBurst service means that there is
no downtime, except when you want it. If you commute for long periods,
iBurst can keep you fully productive for this period, freeing up time
in your day for other activities.
A high speed secure connection to your company network and the Internet
dramatically broadens the amount of information and services you can
call upon in the field. A laptop used offline with only local data
to work with cannot help in unforeseen circumstances. For example,
if you are visiting a client and cannot find their office, you can
look at the client’s web site to check the address and go to
an online mapping site to get a map to direct you to the location.
Laptop Modem related questions:
Do I need a wireless enabled laptop?
No, the iBurst service is fully compatible with existing laptops which
have a PCMCIA card slot - no upgrades are required. All you need is
an iBurst laptop modem and the required installation software.
Installation is quick and east and typically no more than 5 minutes
to complete
Can I connect to a corporate LAN?
Yes, it is possible to use both the iBurst laptop and desktop modem
to provide a broadband link to a corporate LAN. The qualification as
to whether this is possible depends on how your existing IT system is
organised and whether there are any arrangements for remote working
already in place. For example, if you already use a virtual private
network for access from home then it is a simple measure to extend this
to iBurst.
How much power will the iBurst modem use on my laptop?
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
Direction of data – there is less power consumed receiving
data than sending it
Signal strength – there is less power consumed when within
good coverage
What makes iBurst different to WiFi (Wireless LAN, 802.11)?
The main differences are range and speed. Signals from the iBurst modem
can be picked up several kms away by one of the iBurst network base
stations. By contrast, a WiFi has a range of only a few tens of metres,
but its transfer speeds are higher. This means that the iBurst service
is able to provide ubiquitous coverage to users, not just near a WiFi
‘hot-spot’.
Desktop modem related questions:
What are the benefits of the desktop modem?
The desktop modem allows for all the benefits of a fixed broadband connection
with the addition of portability. This means the service can be disconnected
by simply unplugging it from the mains, and moved to a new location
to be reconnected by simply powering up the iBurst desktop modem again.
This allows easier movement of the service than a fixed line connection
whether the move is between rooms or between cities.
The iBurst desktop modem can be connected to a single computer for
access or attached to a local area network or a wireless network for
the access to be shared between several devices in the home or office.
