Raining on broadband

HIGH-SPEED: NEW 'PRO' VERSION OF 5G ROUTER REVEALS POTENTIAL

- Arthur Goldstuck

Once upon a time, high-speed broadband was so scarce and expensive, one could say it never poured, but sometimes it rained, if you could afford it.

Now, thanks to data-focused mobile operator Rain, it is possible for it to pour all the time.

What is it?

Rain's new 101 pro and 101 xtender are the brand's most ambitious attempt to reshape how South Africans connect, promising high-speed 5G performance in a compact, design-focused package.

The devices offer more than just another internet solution; they present a compelling alternative to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), a market segment that has long dominated the conversation around reliable, high-speed connectivity.

Rain described itself as "a mobile operator based in South Africa, offering 4G and 5G services". Its flagship product, rainOne, includes unlimited 5G internet access with a smart router and mobile SIMs for calls and data.

The core of the new offering is the 101 pro, a 5G router built on MediaTek's MTK T830 processor.