The unwired island
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Mauritius, the small island off the coast of Africa, is planning a world technological first: a completely wireless broadband nation.
Mauritius, the small island off the coast of Africa, is planning a world technological first: a completely wireless broadband nation. With a population of just 1.2 million and 2000 square kilometres to cover, ubiquitous high-speed wireless networking is an easier proposition in Mauritius than other countries more traditionally associated with technology, such as 3G world leader South Korea. But introducing wireless broadband is no mean feat.
Mauritius is rugged and mountainous, terrain which makes cable deployment extremely difficult. So the Mauritian authorities have opted to deploy WiMax technology from Navini Networks. This is non-line of sight, obviating the difficulties some wireless technologies have with mountains and built-up areas. Each antenna has a range of several miles and will be upgraded to the latest 802.16e WiMax standard once it is approved. The first products using 802.16e, which will allow mobile devices to use WiMax, are expected in 2006.
As well as providing every government business online, the Mauritian government hopes that ubiquitous Internet will promote commerce and attract IT companies, reducing the island's current reliance on tourism, fishing and agriculture for its income. Gulf states like Dubai have made similar technological investments, and London borough councils have also provided wireless infrastructure for their citizens.
The Indian Ocean isle is famous for its five-star hotels but it has form as a technological haven too. The 'Cyber Tower' at Ebene, erected in 2004, has won awards for its 'intelligent design'. The building is equipped with industrial strength bandwidth, and is intended to form part of a Mauritian cyber village that will house outsourced call centres and software developers.
Cyber caravans currently drive around the island, and have so far taught IT skills to 37,000 Mauritians. As an island it also makes a useful position for back-up and recovery systems for the African mainland. Today the wireless network covers 60% of the island and 70% of the population, with 90% coverage expected by the end of 2005.
