Companies, schools, government, you, we, all use data communication via the internet every day. We google, blog, send emails, “facebook” each other, we’ve even started “tweeting”. But what we are really doing is communicating and learning from each other. We’re using innovation to innovate. We’re living in an information age and in order to stay up to date with the transfer of intellectual property (IP) and the fast pace of change thereof, we need the innovation of the internet protocol (also IP – coincidence?).

It has been theorized that in the corporate environment the speed of our innovation can be directly related to the speed of our internet connection. However, what is mildly disheartening, is the reliance over this transfer of communication, which for most companies is seen as mandatory. There is a steady belief that there is no other way to get a cheaper and more efficient form of data transfer than from the current offering available in South Africa … Right?

Maybe not! The Unlimited has done some extensive research on other methods to get 4GBs of information from one of our offices in Howick and transfer it to our Head Office in Hillcrest – approximately 70kms. We came across the lesser spotted internet protocol: IPoAC or CPIP, commonly known as Internet protocol over Avian Carrier or Carrier Pigeon Internet Protocol respectively.

At The Unlimited we know too well that Innovation means trying new things. But maybe it was just our gutsy passion for having fun in what we do, that set us on the wind currents to put pigeon against the internet - Columbidae livia domestica vs Asymmetric digital subscriber line;  Wing vs WAN.

The Unlimited has hired a high speed consultant, Winston, a top class racing pigeon from Gillits (just outside of Hillcrest). And on 9 September 2009 (090909), he will be transporting 4GBs of information in a micro-sd card and racing our 1mbps ADSL data line from Howick to Hillcrest.

Winston will depart Howick at 10am this Wednesday and is expected to arrive in Hillcrest at 11am. The outcome could go south, but we are hoping for a westerly wind to assist Winston in getting our data up the Hill and back home to bird seed before our ADSL line registers our cancellation of data request.

Informal caveat: Whilst conversing with Winston, he has corrected us by requesting us to call him a homey pigeon, we’ve been getting it wrong all along by calling him a homing pigeon!

Find out more about Winston and his training and preparation endevours by visiting the official website www.pigeonrace2009.co.za
Assist his flight and become a fan on facebook www.facebook.com/Winston.the.Pigeon
And, of course Winston tweets, so follow him at www.twitter.com/pigeonrace2009

Media Coverage:
Sunday Times article 6 September 2009