SD-WAN has become a key technology for businesses in South Africa looking to mitigate connectivity risks, particularly in a landscape marked by infrastructure challenges. One of the standout features of SD-WAN is its ability to leverage multiple last-mile connections, including combinations of fibre, fixed wireless access (FWA), and mobile operators, to ensure business continuity.
Although the ideal scenario involves two fibre operators on diverse paths at a location, this is rarely possible outside of high-profile areas. An exception to this is Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, where four operators are available, providing optimal redundancy. However, for most businesses, the sweet spot is a setup that uses a fibre connection in combination with a fixed wireless access link.
Fibre & Fixed Wireless Access | The Perfect Pair
While fibre is a reliable and high-speed option, it isn't always enough on its own, especially considering the risk of fibre cuts or service disruptions. Fixed wireless access (FWA) provides a strong secondary link and is offered by key operators such as Comsol, VO Connect, and Konekt. This combination allows businesses to stay connected even when one service goes down, as the SD-WAN dynamically reroutes traffic based on real-time link performance.
4G/LTE | Less Than Ideal for Business
In South Africa, 4G/LTE as a last-mile solution is less desirable for business use due to inconsistent service levels and coverage. The problem is further aggravated by electricity power disruptions, such as load shedding or load reduction. These outages affect mobile towers, making LTE unreliable during these periods. Despite these challenges, SD-WAN can still utilise LTE as a last-resort failover, especially in less critical situations. The use of an externally mounted CPE, as opposed to a dongle or indoor router, helps to stabilise the connection, and this is worth the additional effort.
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)
For businesses unable to access fibre or reliable LTE, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) can be a viable alternative. WISPs often operate in underserved areas and offer fixed wireless services that can supplement a fibre connection or even act as a primary connection. You can check the availability of WISP services in your area through the WAPA South Africa website.
Neighbouring Site Connections
Another alternative is leveraging local wireless connections from nearby buildings or locations. For instance, Workshop17, with two locations in Rosebank (the Firestation and the Bank), connects these sites via a rooftop wireless bridge. This provides an excellent secondary failover path and illustrates how businesses can creatively utilise wireless technology to enhance redundancy.
Avoid Single-Service Providers
Many businesses, by default, rely on a single service provider for connectivity. However, this approach is risky. A single-point failure can result in significant downtime, negatively impacting operations, revenue, and customer satisfaction. SD-WAN is the optimal solution for managing multiple last-mile connections. It ensures that traffic automatically switches between links based on performance, providing seamless failover and keeping your business online, even when one connection goes down.
Key Operators in South Africa
To fully utilise the benefits of SD-WAN, it's essential to understand the landscape of service providers in South Africa. Here are some notable ones:
Fibre Providers: Openserve, Vumatel, Frogfoot, Metrofibre, and DFA.
Fixed Wireless Access Providers: Comsol, VO Connect, Konekt.
Mobile Operators: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom Mobile.
Wrapping up, SD-WAN from providers like Nepean Networks is a game changer for businesses in South Africa. It allows for flexibility in using multiple connection types and providers, making businesses more resilient in the face of infrastructure challenges and connectivity risks. A well-planned SD-WAN strategy, integrating fibre, fixed wireless access, and even mobile networks, ensures continuous and high-quality connectivity.
Ronald Bartels ensures that Internet inhabiting things are connected reliably online at Nepean Networks - the leading specialized SD-WAN provider in South Africa. Learn more about the best SD-WAN in the world: 👉Contact Nepean🚀
