For the past three weeks Kokonet has brought to you the basics of the Wireless Internet Service (WIS), the ‘must know’ to help you choose the necessary bandwidth/speed of the service, the advantages and disadvantage of WIS and the type of services and the wireless devices of the future.

Kokonet is one of the Service Providers offering WIS consisting of various packages to suit a wide segment of our business community and the general market.  The prices are tailored to ensure that each customer type will be provided with a service level that compensates the payments they have subscribed to for their preferred packaged solution. 

The cost of all the necessary wireless equipment installed for the service forms part of the monthly charges as published for each package.  There are no hidden cost except those advertised, i.e. the installation charge and the monthly rental fee.  The WIS interface for enablement for key financial service benefits are all provided by Kokonet ‘free of charge’.

The equipment:  Kokonet WIS uses a small microwave antenna that is attached to a radio at the customer’s premise. The Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) is pointed back to the WIS provider Access Point (AP) — typically a tall building or radio tower — to create a Wireless Local Loop (WLL).  Our equipment come with 10/100 Ethernet Interface, via UTP cable and we only recommend that our customers install a firewall. 

The Security: For the home users we recommend WinXP/Win2000 with firewall enabled whereas for the Small Office Home Office (SOHO)/Small Business with <50 employees, we recommend router/firewall SOHO hardware gateway appliances.  For the larger businesses and organisations (>50 employees), it is recommended that they use high-end Cisco routers and firewalls.  In addition it is also recommended that clients install proxy servers that will allow them to control their internet usage as well as increasing their performance. 

To reap maximum benefits from the service, it is highly recommended that anti-virus software is installed on all PC with internet access.  Kokonet provides free access to web-based account and bandwidth monitoring utilities to all its customers.  They are given a username and password to access the service.

Why change from a dial-up service to a wireless access?  Think of it this way, it is very easy.  Kokonet  provides end-to-end service with none of the usual delays, long-term contractual commitments and expenses associated with connecting to a Telecom Service Provider with fixed tariffs. Your have a permanent internet connection, faster service, no phone bills, etc… i.e. a single point of contact to serve you. 

Wireless Internet provides its users with specific potential values such as VPN to link up your remote offices, monitor remote equipment and machinery.  Should faults occur, there is but one reporting point for checks and solutions to the problem, i.e. no third party involved in the fault finding loop.

Future Development?  The network will soon be extended towards the North East coast via St. Anne site within the next 3 months.  Similarly, coverage of the West coast will be there by the end of the year.  It is also envisaged that soon there will be full redundancy of the VSAT link thus providing a fall-back in case of international link outage. 

The Price?  Visit our website at www.seychelles.sc, click the hyperlink for ‘wireless’ to access the page for the packages and pricing.

The Support Team?  Stephen and Romano are available on phone no. 322000 or 610500 and Fax. 324444.  You may e-mail the team at support@seychelles.sc.  Should you want to have personal contact with them please visit our Pirates Arms office.  Our office is opened from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. during the week and from 9.00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday for queries, payments and new registration.

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