Sydney wireless providers partner up on DSL alternative

Wireless broadband ISP BigAir has partnered wireless access provider SkyNetGlobal on a new residential broadband service the companies claim will be Australia's most advanced.

Jonathan Soon, CEO at ASX-listed Sydney company SkyNetGlobal, said the main aim was to have SkyNetGlobal's W Home network use BigAir's wireless data facilities where standard DSL supply was not available.

"BigAir offers speeds of up to 10Mb/s at many locations where broadband internet supply is not available," Soon said.

He said that BigAir, whose service was launched in March, bypassed the ageing copper network used by ADSL services. The wireless ISP advertised itself as offering "complete control" over speed, quality and service via its own totally independent network, he said.

The alliance would help extend wireless networking throughout Sydney, especially to consumers. W Home would harness BigAir's network in 10 blocks of flats by the end of September, Soon promised.

Jason Ashton, joint managing director at BigAir, said the partnership would help both companies offer a "cost-effective upgrade path" to more advanced broadband applications planned for the future.

"W Home gives residential customers access to a flexible communications package," Ashton said.

BigAir operates what it claims is a carrier-grade wireless broadband network targeting consumers and SMBs. It uses point-to-multi-point fixed wireless infrastructure operating in the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands.

SkyNetGlobal specialises in Wi-Fi and powerline technologies and networking; its remote access service, Connector, links 15,000 wireless hotspots worldwide. It also has a W Home distribution arm that offers broadband and home automation products to the channel.