POWERLINE network systems integrator Estrade Marketing Sdn Bhd is bullish about the business prospects for powerline networks for accessing the Internet.
Even though the technology is new to local Internet users, the potential of a good take-up rate is high because of the existing infrastructure (electric power lines) the solution works on, said its managing director Salleh S. Mohamed.
“All this while people have been accessing the Internet either via wired or wireless mode, but our solutions will offer an alternative to, if not complement, wired and wireless LAN (local area network) access,” he said in Petaling Jaya last Friday.
Estrade is the regional principal representative of Canada-based Corinex Communications Corp’s powerline broadband solutions such as the powerline Ethernet wall mount, powerline Ethernet adapter, powerline universal serial bus adapter, and powerline router.
The solutions are targeted at the small office-home office, education and Government sectors, as well as homes and businesses with a network environment.
Salleh claimed that users will get at least 50 per cent of cost savings with a powerline network for Internet connections. “You don’t have to spend on extensive wiring as data will flow through the existing power lines,” he said, adding that interference is unlikely via power lines.
For home use, it only costs RM459 for a set of two units of the Corinex powerline adapter.
“The solution can provide a throughput of up to 14 megabits per second and can withstand up to three kilovolts of power, which is way higher than the normal 240V power for buildings and homes,” Salleh said, thus eliminating any fear of power surges due to lightning, for example.
Estrade is targeting to claim at least five per cent share of the local wireless solutions market, which is now worth RM120 million. “We plan to sell 1,000 units of the Corinex powerline adapter per month for a start,” Salleh said.
any users are still confused about the concept of accessing the Internet via the power line, Salleh said, as they think the Internet services are provided by power companies such as Tenaga National Berhad.
“What we are showcasing is that electrical cables in buildings and homes can be used to set up LAN connections for Internet access with Corinex’s solutions,” he explained.
“People still need broadband access like (TM Net’s) steamy to connect to the service provider. The Corinex devices act as a bridge from the modem to the electrical outlets, where users plug in for Internet connections.”
Estrade has managed to wire up all five blocks consisting of 32 classrooms, of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Perempuan) Sri Aman in Petaling Jaya. “Now all the classrooms in the school have Internet connections via the electrical access points,” Salleh said.
More importantly, the project only cost RM8,000, he added.
The school’s information technology coordinator Marzila Mohamed said the powerline network for Internet access has been running smoothly.
“This will open a new dimension in teaching and learning for both the teachers and students. Before, teachers had to run smart school applications through CDs, but now with Internet connections in all classrooms, they can access the applications from the school’s server,” she said, adding that students now have the opportunity to learn new things through the Internet in the classroom.
Estrade is currently in talks with the Education Ministry for the possible usage of powerline network solutions in schools, especially smart schools.