A common misconception surrounding notebooks equipped with 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi is that you're able to switch on and surf the Web anywhere, anytime. The myth is further perpetuated by Intel's marketing material for its Centrino platform, so don't feel down if you were fooled.
It's true that Wi-Fi enabled laptops can jump online if there's a wireless hotspot nearby, but otherwise you'll need to sign up with a wireless broadband provider -- iBurst or Unwired -- or a 3G data card service from Vodafone, Optus, Telstra or 3.
Both wireless broadband and 3G data card services are mobile Internet technologies, but there are two primary points of difference -- speed and coverage. 3G services run on your standard mobile phone network, and therefore cover anywhere there's a mobile phone signal. If you're outside a 3G coverage area, it'll automatically revert to the slower but still useable GSM network (or CDMA if you're on Telstra's Country Wide plans), ensuring a connection at all times.
In return for 3G's stellar coverage, users must forego a certain amount of speed. 3G's maximum throughput of 384Kbps (600Kbps on Telstra's EV-DO) pales in comparison to the 1Mbps offered by a wireless broadband service such as Unwired and iBurst. Further, speeds drop down to 50kbps when you're bumped onto the GSM network.
The iBurst service is ideal for the mobile professional, but like its 3G cousin, will have difficulty swaying the average consumer due to high access prices.
Design
Installation of the device is stunningly simple, with the iBurst
card sliding into a Type II PCMCIA slot on your notebook. It
measures a petite 125 x 56 x 14mm, and the 'tab' won't get in
your way since it doesn't stick out too far past the edge of the
chassis. That said, those using smaller notebooks and a slapdash
typing style may occasionally bump into it.
The antenna is also quite small and rotates in all directions, which virtually eliminates the chance of someone unwittingly snapping it off. For those operating from an area with poor reception (i.e. deep inside a building), the card offers a connector for an external high gain antenna.
Features
While it's widely labelled as a 1Mbps service, the exact
theoretical data rates supported by iBurst are 1061Kbps for
downloads and 346Kbps for uploads. This is similar to a mid-range
ADSL connection, and is fast enough to accommodate most Internet
applications but may struggle with heavy video streaming.
iBurst's coverage area has extended quite significantly since the service's inception, but at present it's limited to the east coast cities of Metropolitan Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Central Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Canberra. Clicking any of the links above will take you to a detailed coverage map for your selected city.
By comparison, Unwired's coverage is limited to Sydney and, as of 5 April, inner-city Melbourne. What's more, iBurst's coverage is set to further surpass that of Unwired when the provider expands its service into Adelaide and Perth in the near future.
The card's maximum power consumption is a low 3.3 watts, so you can comfortably leave your notebook's power adapter at home without worrying about a rapidly decreasing battery life.
Service prices vary depending on your ISP of choice (a full list of iBurst ISP partners can be found here), but like any wireless Internet service, the cost is likely to be too high for the average consumer to justify. However, most mobile business users will happily shell out the cash, as the cost is far outweighed by the productivity gains resulting from constant Internet access.
The PCMCIA wireless card will set you back AU$299, while monthly access fees range from AU$30 per month for 256/64Kbps download/upload speeds and 200MB of data transfers, to AU$199.95 for 1000/256Kbps speeds and 10GB of data. Set aside around AU$150 extra for "setup fees", while exceeding your monthly data allocation will cost around AU$0.15-0.20 per megabyte.
This makes the iBurst solution somewhat more expensive than a 3G data card overall. For example, Vodafone offers an unlimited data transfer 3G service for AU$100. Prices for lower-end iBurst plans are quite similar to equivalent 3G plans, however.
Performance
The iBurst catch-cry is "it just works", and this is for the
most part true. After pulling the device out of its packaging,
we were able to get online within minutes. All that's required
is a basic software installation, during which you'll be
prompted to insert the card into a vacant PCMCIA slot. From
there it's just a matter of filling out the provided login
details and hitting 'connect'. No rebooting is necessary.
The drivers and system software support both the Windows and Mac operating systems, unlike Unwired which is limited to Windows XP only.
We tested the service in Sydney's Metropolitan area. The specific locations used were Pyrmont, the CBD and Eastern Suburbs areas such as Bondi and Vaucluse. All of these locations offered up full signal strength, but this is to be expected since Sydney is iBurst's largest coverage area.
No dropouts were experienced during testing, even whilst on the move in a car or bus. However, it's disappointing that the service won't work on below-ground trains since tunnel reception is poor or non-existent.
Despite iBurst's theoretical maximum download/upload speeds of 1061Kbps/346Kbps, we recorded speeds of 599.39Kbps/142.65Kbps during our testing with the tcpIQ Line Speed Meter. This result is in the range we expected, since it's rare that Internet services reach anywhere near their maximum throughput speeds. Web page load times are speedy and there's no patchiness when making VoIP calls.
While our benchmarks give a good indication of general Sydney CBD performance, don't take them as a completely accurate indication of the speeds you'll experience, as this depends largely on your location. Throughput will be higher if you're close to a transmitter, and if the signal is able to travel to you without being interrupted by a clutter of buildings or other dense objects.
On the whole, iBurst is a superb wireless broadband solution that's highly useful for the mobile business user, but regular consumers will likely find its price to be a deal breaker.
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pauliewells
29/08/2007, 07:22 PM
rating
9/10
Fat Free iBurst very impressive ...
I've recently joined up to fat free's new iBurst plans and have been very impressed so far. Easy to sign up, simple to install and the connection has not let me down yet. Tried a friend's Unwired connection once and was seriously not impressed with that, so glad I went with iBurst.
Pros: 1GB of data for $49 is pretty fair
Cons: No express card slot yet
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annoyed
04/05/2007, 04:41 PM
rating
2/10
Be very careful..I just moved to Bronte, 7km from CBD of Sydney and can not get a signal AT ALL. After being put on hold by the tech support for 25 mins, I was rudely informed it was not their problem and they couldn't help my in any way.
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Imbursting
05/02/2007, 04:11 PM
rating
3/10
Despite 'execelent' reception, my Chilli service speeds range from average to poor to zilch. Several plan upgrades have done nothing to help. I would strongly advise a long test drive before signing anything.
Pros: Quick to connect; when it's good, it's very good.
Cons: Nowhere near the claimed speeds; long periods where connection just stops (despite stong signal); Chilli billing system is dodgey.
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beargod
05/02/2007, 11:58 AM
rating
9/10
I have been using Iburst for about 3 and a bit years now (End of 2003) I think it is fantastic, even better when my employer pays for it! My company has quite extensive online project delivery system which I burst handles well. I work in construction and have work in various locations in Sydney CBD to Bella Vista. Hornsby to Cronulla. There are a few black spots which can be frustrating but over all it kicks arse.
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makip
17/10/2006, 08:19 AM
rating
9/10
iBurst compares very favorably to 3G/GPRS in Australia
I recently looked at my options for wireless internet, the most cost effective "uncapped" option was iBurst. I discovered multiple ISPs reselling iBurst offered low-end usage plans that drop in speed once your quota is reached instead of charging more for the excess. This was important to me as i already have ADSL commitment at home.
Pros: + Better value that 3G (a real ISP rather than a telco service selling internet access at phone data rates).
+ Coverage was suprisingly good, you can check detailed online maps.
+ Commital not necessary to try service (my iSP (Chilli) had a 30 day trial with refund if it didnt work).
Cons: - Coverage not as ubiquitous as phone networks, but great in metro areas.
- Initial hardware cost is high (note this cost is about the same for most 3G modems too).
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KB
11/10/2006, 10:07 PM
rating
9/10
Its worth it...
Meets all demands, and without any strain, or dropouts.
Pros: Yes, it meets the portability and the responsiveness tests, and without any problems at all.
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Theo
06/08/2006, 05:48 PM
rating
9/10
Excellent Connection
I finf the produc to work very well. Connectivity is a dream. I would have preferred a roaming ability between countries as with GSM. This is not possible because they are not operating on the same frequencies and furthermre the devices are not multi frequency at this point.
Pros: Best Wireles available currently and may even not be beaten.
Cons: Limited connectivity in existing countries; i.e. Australia & South Africa.
Australia and South Africa using different frequencies.
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28/04/2006, 02:17 PM
Works well except in Perth
I have used I-Burst since it was released and found it worth every cent as you do not have to worry about hotel connection speeds.
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16/04/2006, 09:56 PM
Good Start
Good start the product will improve over time.
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07/04/2006, 02:08 AM
My experience was not very good
Problems installing drivers, non english speaking help desk, no coverage in my area what so ever even though it stated there was, expensive. I moved to Unwired and am much happier although they don't operate in as many cities but are expanding.
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