iBurst no more
iBurst, recently providing free internet access as a sponsor of Web Directions South , is about to terminate its wireless network, ZDNet writes. The BigAir Group was one party interested in taking over the iBurst assets, but:
“BigAir Group Limited announced today it has been notified by the Receivers for the Commander Group, McGrathNicol, that its bid to acquire the iBurst assets of Personal Broadband Australia (PBA) was unsuccessful… The Company has also been advised by the Receivers that they intend to discontinue providing iBurst services and the network will be shut down and closed no later than December 19th 2008.”
iBurst was launched in 2003, and was one of the first to offer wide area wireless broadband internet. But last couple of years mobile telcos’ coverage of 3G grew both in reach and speed, and iBurst modems were too expensive, and bigger than the small 3G USB dongles.
I’d still like to salute iBurst for providing us with free internet access at Web Directions South last month, and the technicians then present. It must have been a difficult period for them knowing the company wasn’t in the best condition.