Linkra provides fast backhaul for wireless broadband

The quality of the service these providers offer depends on the quality of their networks, making their communications infrastructure a central element to their business success. High quality, reliable products are therefore essential in the building of these networks.

Megasurf is a wireless internet service provider that offers wireless internet connectivity in and around various locations around South Africa. The ISP has countrywide long-distance wireless links and high sites, using the Linkra range for its backhauls between main towers, of which it has approximately 90. According to CEO Marius Jackson, the company's network is continually expanding and that these products play a major role in assuring the quality of its network.

Jackson says quality is not negotiable and that is why this ISP uses the range of products. "The quality of the product is impressive. We have used the products at a number of critical segments of our network, and are continuing to use them as we expand. Where upgrades need to be done or additional capacity is needed, we are replacing existing infrastructure with its high-performance products."

Very fast backhaul is required

Megasurf obtains its Linkra products from Miro, a distributor of wireless, networking, VoIP and IP video products. With its best-of-breed product offering, it has become the company's distribution partner of choice.

"Wireless internet provides a high speed connection from the service provider to the customer's premises. In order to support many of these high-speed links from a distribution tower or high site, a very fast backhaul is required. The systems deliver backhaul speeds of up to 420 Mbps, making it ideal for fixed wireless broadband backhaul.

"In order for a wireless network to be effective and offer the quality of service customers demand, we have to use the best products we can in the building and maintaining of our infrastructure. These meet our extremely high quality requirements," Jackson says.

Ettienne Joubert, brand manager at Miro, explains that the range is an ideal solution for a network such as Megasurf's, as its products have been designed to allow operators to quickly and easily increase throughput on existing links as demand grows. The initial investment on new hardware can be reduced by purchasing a link with 100Mbps capacity which can be upgraded incrementally up to 500Mbps. Upgrading a link is immediate and simply requires a software key, no hardware changes required. "This simplification of the network provides our customers with the most advanced technology currently available on the market and not only makes upgrading the network easier, but reduces the cost of investment in the infrastructure at the same time," he says.

"Even though the company supplies high-tech products to the ICT sector in Southern Africa, the business remains focused on people. Delivering excellent service to our business partners is core to our business values," concludes Riandi van Niekerk, marketing manager for Miro.