Department of Science and Innovation entity the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is funding Gauteng-based startup FibrePoynt to deploy an antenna-based high-speed fixed Internet solution for low-income communities.

The new solution will solve the signal strength challenges and costs typically found in existing last-mile antenna wireless roll-outs, with the aim of enabling Internet network owners to deliver Internet to dwellings at a lower cost than currently possible, supplementing or as an alternative to fibre-to-the-home underground or overhead cable technology.

The new technology, HomePoynt, which is a derivative innovation spun out of the core FibrePoynt wireless technology, promises to be a cost-effective, high-speed alternative deployment of broadband infrastructure in areas that were previously deemed unfeasible.

HomePoynt is an innovative last-mile connectivity solution that has the potential to bring down Internet costs to as low as R89 a month for uncapped WiFi.

The technology has been developed with a key focus on townships, periurban areas and small towns to close the digital divide in underserved areas.

HomePoynt connects users to broadband core networks in a peer-to-peer setup and provides wireless Internet service for homes and public areas where there is already backhaul coverage but no end-user access.

FibrePoynt’s fixed wireless broadband network technology does not require trenching underground fibre in the last-mile connection to homes, thereby reducing infrastructure costs by more than 50%.

The technology uses passive beam forming, beam pattern diversity and beam shaping to get the best possible signal to the home units, which then provides WiFi for the end-user devices to connect to.

“The technology is not only backed by an innovative and sustainable business model, but an inclusive model which gives local entrepreneurs skills and the opportunity to operate and roll out networks to their respective communities,” says TIA portfolio commercialisation manager Sipho Dikweni.

“Local empowerment is the critical antidote to socioeconomic ills. We call upon follow-on funders and network operators to support the full-scale commercialisation of this exciting and impactful technology.”

In the process of market validation, FibrePoynt developed an innovative Internet service provider model termed Kasiwave to transfer the skills required to build and maintain the network infrastructure to the local communities.

The goal is to ensure that 20% of the revenue generation remains in the local communities.

The TIA has been actively involved throughout the development of the FibrePoynt project, providing both financial and nonfinancial support and ensuring that the project becomes a success.

A solution like FibrePoynt could make sure that the neglected obtain real Internet in their homes and surrounding neighbourhoods on their smart devices.

“We want to use this innovation to tackle digital inequality,” says FibrePoynt CEO Eduard Walker.

“A solution like HomePoynt is more critical in our society as the spread of the coronavirus has laid bare the need to get everyone connected to high-speed Internet. This would improve access to critical services like home schooling to a larger proportion of the population,” he concludes.