WiMAX for rural SA : The experience of the Siyakhula Living Lab

Rural development is seen as a priority in South Africa; information and knowledge are key strategic resources for social and economic development. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are seen as important tools in rural development, assisting in enabling change through economic development. In rural areas where ICT infrastructure is limited wireless technologies, like WiMAX, afford an easy deployment of new technologies to these marginalised communities. The Siyakhula Living Lab, a joint venture between the Telkom Centres of Excellence at Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, is focused on introducing appropriate ICTs to foster development. In order to support that focus an Alvarion BreezeMAX WiMAX network was deployed to the region. This paper details the current network status and the future extensions.