The ever-increasing numbers of mobile devices (laptops/tablets) in
schools highlights the need for fast, secure and reliable connectivity. This
enables teachers to focus on teaching while giving students the capacity and power
to learn anywhere with access to a library of information.
Schools and tertiary institutions are increasingly reaping the rewards
of having reliable connectivity. One such institution is Herschel Girls School,
in Claremont, Cape Town. The school was founded in 1922 and is a leading, independent Anglican
school. In 2012, the school decided to investigate alternate telecommunication
mediums, in an effort to provide a more reliable and cost-effective method of
connectivity.
Comsol was approached to connect the existing wireless LAN environment
on campus to the TENET (Tertiary Education and Research Network of South
Africa) network. There was a need for high-capacity connectivity, resulting in
a 100Mbps wireless microwave link terminating into the closest TENET PoP (point
of presence) at the Red Cross Hospital. Comsol provided this service to
Herschel in partnership with ESN (e-Schools Network), a non-profit ISP that
also provides services to 1 700 schools nationwide.
Costs were greatly reduced due to far greater capacities being offered
for a fraction of the cost. The school’s primary breakout connectivity has now
been increased from the existing 4Mbps using fixed-line alternatives, to
100Mbps. The connectivity is now fast and reliable with aggressive service
level agreements in place to ensure maximum availability. The solution is
scalable, meaning the opportunity exists to increase bandwidth, with relative
ease, at a low cost.
A massive increase in breakout capacity allows the students to optimise
their e-learning experiences by having access to the latest, up-to-date
information. A similar solution was also provided to Bishops Diocesan College,
also in Cape Town.
Comsol currently offers numerous schools, universities and colleges
throughout South Africa with robust last-mile licensed band managed services.
From deploying on-campus WiFi to last-mile connectivity, Comsol’s flexible
commercial model assists in offering better learning to the learner.
