GEORGE NEWS - "We are joining the dots and rolling out the most advanced network in South Africa." Sue Kennedy, Cell C’s executive head of sales and distribution, puts her faith in Cell C’s latest technological develop-ment during their launch at Fancourt last week. Cell C’s new HSPA+ network, also known as Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (a wireless broadband standard defined in 3GPP release 7), shows average speeds of between 5 to 6 Mbps (Mega bites per second) for uploads, with a maximum technical throughput of 21 Mbps in George.

Cell C is the only operator in South Africa to utilise both the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency bands. Whereas HSPA+ 900 delivers wider coverage, higher speeds at the cell edge and deeper indoor coverage, HSPA+ 2100 will deliver capacity where needed.

So what does it mean?
The visual quality with Cell C’s new HSPA+ network is absolutely incredible. Internet users can browse on youtube, download videos, play games, amongst others, with absolute clarity, without any disturbances and without delay. The cove-rage within buildings is much better and wider and a family or business that needs coverage for more than one computer in an area can use a wireless router with only one modem.

George is the fifth of six mayor cities where Cell C has deployed 1900 HSPA+ 900 sites. They have already launched in Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, East London, Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg.

The first phase of the new network roll-out, expected to be completed by the end of 2010, will cover approximately 34% of the South African population. By mid 2011 Cell C intends to have covered 67% of the entire South African population.
As part of its George launch, Cell C also donated a modem to Imizamo Yethu Se-condary School to provide the school with faster internet connection. The school will also receive a monthly data bundle and wireless router to allow multiple users connectivity at the same time.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MICHELLE PIENAAR

More photos here: http://www.georgeherald.com/gallery.aspx?gpid=191&gid=5


Sewela Letsoalo, project manager, is all smiles about Cell C's amazing speed.