News

Wireless ATMs launch in Australia

June 11, 2006

BRISBANE, Queensland (Australia) - Braintree Communications Pty Ltd. has inked a deal with Suncorp Metway to roll out up to 250 wireless ATMs. The terminals will use a public general-packet-radio-service (GPRS) network.

According to a news release, Suncorp is using the Braintree's Axon series of GPRS-router products to convert its ATMs to GPRS wireless. Braintree developed the hardware and software.

"The business case for converting from leased line to wireless GPRS is compelling," said Brad Sands, chief executive of Braintree Communications. "Our calculations show that the cost for GPRS can be less than 1.5 cents per transaction - a reduction of 30 to 80 percent compared with traditional leased lines. The other major advantage of wireless GPRS is the speed and low cost of deployment."

The method will provide greater ATM placement flexibility and eliminate the cost of cable installation.

"In shopping centres, for example, you can place the ATMs in high traffic areas rather than where telephone lines happen to be available," Sands said. "Pre-deployment is also easier. GPRS is now mature technology with a proven track record both in Australia and overseas."

Braintree is already slated to ship 200 of the ATMs to Thailand, Sands said.

Both companies are based in Brisbane, Queensland.