Airnet hits bay without Government cash

By RICHARD WOOD

Start-up firm Airnet has built a wireless broadband network across the Hawkes Bay plains, but it will not seek Probe project funding, due to be announced for the region next month.

Airnet is using the 5.8GHz "public park" frequency band to deliver broadband wireless connections to Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and industrial areas in between.

The Government's Project Probe funding aims to bring broadband to schools and communities that do not have it, and to encourage broadband competition.

Airnet has not put in a tender for Probe, but chairman Craig Foss estimated the Airnet service and advances by other broadband providers, including Central Lines in Central Hawkes Bay and Telecom, means the number of schools without access has halved since proposals were sought for Project Probe.

Scheme manager Tony Van Horrick said the number of schools without coverage would be reassessed and money given in proportion to that. He said the onus was on firms such as Airnet to advise the Government of new coverage.

Foss said the firm had not communicated directly with the Government but had gone through the local development contact at the local council, so the Government should be aware of its coverage and plans.

Airnet is planning additional coverage to some remote rural areas and wants to expand south to Waipukurau and Waipawa, and north to Gisborne.

The company, which is financed by four private investors, has developed its service over the past nine months and began seeking customers in earnest two months ago.

Foss said if there was more competition in the region as a result of Probe, Airnet's local service approach and head-start in wireless technology would be an advantage even though its wireless charges were similar to Telecom's.

Airnet's installation fee is $449 including GST. At the low end, the firm offers up to 500MB of data a month at $53, with 18c per extra MB.

At the high end, up to 3000MB costs $268 a month, with 11c per extra MB.

Equipment is a one-off $2469, or for the higher-end services, it can be rented at $47 a month. The speed of the links is 2Mbps in both directions.

Airnet has six "Tsunami" antennae, some powered by solar panels, made by United States company Proxim, which use proprietary technology to optimise the Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless standard.

Airnet is not alone in bringing wireless to the area. Internet Hawkes Bay also offers it and ihug has its national satellite internet service.

Foss said his company was focussing on the 5000 or so small businesses and people who work from home in the region.

Many people moving to the bay for the lifestyle expected broadband access, he said.

"People are spending up to a million on a section and a house on the coast. They're not quibbling too hard over a couple of hundred bucks a month for broadband access."

Foss said Airnet was testing the use of Voice over IP to provide phone services as well. Many farmers were using fax, computer and phone on a regular phone line. With a wireless connection and Voice over IP, they would not even need a landline.

www.airnet.net.nz

www.probe.govt.nz

http://www.proxim.com/