Adaptive antennas and a pure IP infrastructure are at the heart of this high-speed, long-distance cellular data technology: The article might overhype the average speed and utility of the network, but with a clean slate, this firm was able to avoid overlays and legacy issues by building out a technology that relies on modern radio and networking techniques. The company claims performance up to nine miles from one of its base stations.
The company says the iBurst technology will cover 75 percent of homes and 95 percent of businesses in Australian by 2005, which is certainly a feat, even in the largest population centers.
Service seems relatively expensive: an AUD$500 (about US$375) modem and a monthly fee of AUD$150 (US$112). But it's costs only somewhat more than slower and less available EvDO service in the U.S. from Verizon Wireless. And it could be a true in-home/roaming broadband replacement.