Wireless broadband gets a boost in Melbourne

SkyNetGlobal announced today that its W Home subsidiary has signed agreements to supply its services to the residential buildings in New Quay precinct of Melbourne's Docklands.

W Home will provide wireless broadband Internet, VoIP and home automation services to 820 apartments and 22 commercial premises in the precinct.

SkyNetGlobal chief executive officer, Jonathan Soon, said the company would soon be able to provide customers with the capability to network and control computers, entertainment units, alarm systems and lights throughout their home, plus multiple broadband connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and/or through their power sockets.

Veteran telecommunications analyst Paul Budde said the entry of additional operators to the wireless broadband space would help increase competition which, in turn, would lower prices and improve services for Australian customers.

"The good thing is with wireless broadband you can get a large number of small companies who can do this which is good for competition. It will take Telstra a long time before it has its total national network upgraded. Because of this, companies operating in regional areas and suburbs have more chance for long term survival that those who will take on Telstra," Budde added.

Budde predicts that in ten years wireless broadband will become the major technology in Australia, and that in 2 to 3 years Australia will be able to compete with the rest of the world in terms of broadband technology.