WAPA tackles ICASA

Rudolph Muller

Rudolph Muller is the editor at MyBroadband and covers telecoms and broadband news. Rudolph comes from an academic background, but left the University of...

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The Wireless Access Providers Association (WAPA) yesterday said that it is disappointed with ICASA's draft license conversion matrix and is looking to the courts for clarity on the issue.

WAPA said that according to the license conversion matrix document, ICASA has not mapped a single one of WAPA's 38 members as Electronic Communications Network Services (ECNS) licensees. WAPA members include prominent wireless access providers like Uninet, Amobia Communications, Aerosat and Snowball Effect.

WAPA argues that if ICASA proceeds to use the proposed license conversion matrix, it is in effect forcing all WISPs and most other VANS (Value Added Network Services) licensees that operate their own networks across South Africa to continue operating without the appropriate licensing from the regulator.

WAPA members currently have over 50 000 subscribers using wireless networks to access broadband Internet, voice and other data services. Customers include libraries, schools, municipalities, police stations and the general public, many of which or whom are in underserviced areas.

ICASA under fire

According to WAPA ICASA's draft license conversion matrix document highlights huge inconsistencies in how licences are to be converted and it appears that decisions have not been based on transparent processes.

WAPA says that it is frustrated that many weeks of seemingly constructive interaction with ICASA at workshops and hearings on the conversion process seem to have been ignored by the regulator.

“WAPA has reserved its legal rights in this regard, and although it will not oppose the process at this stage in the courts, it may opt for this route if ICASA does not significantly change its position on licence conversion for VANS,” WAPA warns.

“WAPA is of the opinion that all WISPs who are VANS should at least be issued both an ECS and ECNS licence. WAPA also feels it is necessary to settle, once and for all, the issue of self provision for VANS.”

Self provisioning of VANS

WAPA points out that members who are WISPs are VANS licensed and have been permitted to self provide their own networks (build their own networks) since at least February 2005.

“This has been hotly contested in the press by certain elements in ICASA, and this uncertainty has been detrimental to the VANS industry,” WAPA said.

“We will accordingly be seeking a ruling by the High Court on self provision by VANS and we are currently instructing counsel in this regard,” WAPA said.