Star-Tech Communications' knowledge and experience in designing wireless solutions for their customers has allowed South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service (SESAHS) to provide fast, reliable, cost-effective WAN links between their various local area networks. In an environment where there are many networks housed within buildings in the same locality, outdoor wireless links provided the perfect solution for data and voice connectivity between sites. Whether the networks were a few kilometres away or in buildings only a few dozen metres apart, and whether the throughput required was 2 or 34 Mbps, Star-Tech found a wireless solution to suit the link requirement.

The demand for fast, high-throughput, reliable links was of paramount concern for SESAHS information technology staff. The mission-critical responsibility of administering computer networks in hospitals and community health centres was obvious. These facilities required online communication and information sharing, so SESAHS chose an outdoor wireless solution for its cost effectiveness and reliability.
Wireless was preferable to the leased line solutions offered by local telecommunications providers, for with leased lines the cost was higher, throughput being offered was lower, and there were associated ongoing yearly costs.

The sites at SESAHS are connected via a combination of licensed and unlicensed wireless links, incorporating 21 sites over an area spanning several kilometres. The links include unlicensed
microwave at 34 Mbps, unlicensed 2, 8 and 11 Mbps links and 24 Mbps (Tsunami), all forming
point-to-point connections within the area.

The network of wireless links is always being added to as the need for more connectivity arises. Ease and speed of installation means that SESAHS staff know once the decision is made to install a new link, the equipment can be set up and the link made available within a very short space of time. SESAHS have chosen to take up a maintenance option on their links, which gives them peace of mind in knowing they can rely on a guaranteed response time and replacement equipment should any issues occur.