SPECIAL FEATURE
As the sun sets over 2G, what’s next? The next project SABRE The answer is improved efficiency and lower costs, issues close to most business owners’ hearts and now an increasing reality in South Africa’s security industry. That’s according to tech fundi Terry van Zyl, Chairman of the Technical Committee of SAIDSA (South African Intruder Detection Services Association). Addressing the recent SAIDSA AGM, he focused on the technology and developments within the context of the South African Band Re-planning Exercise (SABRE) in a presentation titled: “The 2G sunset: real or not?”.
Why the need to migrate from 2G? Charting the progress of the country’s migration from 2G to 3G and 4G, with 5G now a reality. Mr Van Zyl said 2G technology was more than 20 years old and has some challenges and restrictions, including ongoing maintenance requirements and the reduction in numbers of 2G towers. The country’s networks are under increasing pressure by consumers 14
demanding more efficiency and lower data costs, he noted, hence the need for the old technology (2G and 3G) to give way to LTE (also known as 4G) and 5G. “Reduced tower numbers will also lead to signal deterioration, which is a serious risk for security applications,” he warned, emphasising the importance of embracing new technology, uncomfortable though it might initially be. Consumer demand is also driving the move from 2G. They want better quality networks, higher data speeds and more stable connections, he says, as well as: • More reliability. • Tighter security. • Improved video streaming and online gaming. • Better access to remote banking. • A wireless alternative to fibre. • Fewer dropped calls. • Smoother handovers and less retries. • Clearer voice quality. • Better support of hi-fi-quality music. • L ess data speed fluctuations. • More reliable data packets. • Improved alarm functionality.
SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA NOVEMBER 2019
• In-store cash and pay points (POS). • Access to ATM machines. • Guard and vehicle tracking capabilities. • IoT (Internet-of-Things) compatibility and connectivity. • Access to new multi-connect technology such as VoLTE 4G LTE, which is widely deployed by SA networks, and 5G fixed point-to-point, started by RAIN and currently only available in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Mr Van Zyl says LTE-Cat M1 and LTE NB-IoT systems are in the preparation phase by Vodacom and MTN and set to provide 2-way, no-signal limit,s while 5G ultra high mmWave or Millimeter-Wave technology is expected to be introduced in the next five years or so.
The future Peeking into the future, Mr Van Zyl says 5G technology could spell the demise of the traditional banking model. And it will allow for widespread water and electricity payments and metering. With 5G, video streaming will secure its place as the one of the world’s new big
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