PBA adds sixth service provider

Personal Broadband Australia has signed Techex Communications as the sixth distributor in its stable for iBurst, following the high-profile launch of the personal mobile wireless broadband service last month.

Broadband provider Techex has claimed that some 60 of its reseller partners could gain from pushing the service to business and residential end-users.

The company is touting a 'no strings attached' initiative marketing iBurst as an alternative to fixed-line broadband networking via its channel.

Chris Collinge, MD at Techex Communications, said iBurst was selling 'in tens at a time' to corporations and consultancies.

He conceded the last year had been disappointing for wireless. However, iBurst was different and could pick up customers where Wi-Fi had failed, he implied.

Jim Cooney, chairman and CEO at PBA, said customers from SMB, corporate and public sectors wanted a 'genuine carrier-grade service'.

Techex had 'strong links' to such customer segments, he said.

Cooney claimed that 'early indicators' suggest iBurst could appeal to businesses unable to access cable or ADSL but wanting broadband. Meanwhile, iBurst could also supplement existing fixed services.

In time, Techex planned to push iBurst to all 105 of its VAR and system integrator partners as more iBurst base stations are installed Australia-wide.

PBA claims that Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane could be added to the iBurst network by 2005.