MWEB shuts down legacy system

South African broadband provider MWEB switched off its legacy wireless broadband at the end of May, and says that it already has migrated most of its customers to other platforms.

General manager Andre Joubert told MyBroadband.co.za the network is a remnant of the company’s trial WiMAX network that dates back to 2007.

Following the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA’s) refusal to extend MWEB’s WiMAX trial license in early 2008, the company announced it would switch off the under construction network in April 2008. However, MWEB decided to continue to operate the network using unlicensed 5.7GHz spectrum and Wi-Fi equipment for last mile access. Now however, the company says it no longer wishes to provide the resources required to expand coverage.