Lobby group against ICASA - WISP's

[Nrv]

Hello everyone.

We are currently looking at forming a lobby group to oppose ICASA's current action against WISP's offering wireless internet access via 2.4Ghz using 802.x technologies

> http://www.mybroadband.co.za/news/modules.php?
> name=News&file=article&sid=264
> ICASA GETS TOUGH ON WIRELESS NETS


> The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) is cracking > down on wireless Internet service providers that it believes are
> operating illegally.

The above news article refers to current action being taken or planned to be taken by ICASA against WISP's.

The current legislation to our knowledge has never been consitutionally challenged and the lobby group will endevour
to vigorously challenge current legislation.

The views of the forum members will be appreciated as well as input on the way foward.

Thanking you,
NRV

[ASF]

Are any of the WISP operators members of ISPA? That would seem logical to me... Having said that I guess the current ISPA members wouldn't be that keen...

[MaD]

Count me in mate..

<font color="navy"><font size="1"><b>Where others have progress, we have Telkom.</b>
Hellkom website - www.hellkom.co.za</font id="size1"></font id="navy">

[loosecannon]

im in on this ive only recently started setting up wireless concentrators ... and have a lot to learn but ill be there ...

[andres101]

next they will probably start going after jawug (http://www.daffy.za.net/jawug) and other community based wireless networks... i don't have a wireless internet connection, but I am thinking of starting one in my area. i'm in!!

have you signed the hellkom petition yet?
http://www.hellkom.co.za/petition/index.php

[ratezone]

We have had a fair amount of interaction with the ICASA legal team. Fortunately for us, but probably ultimately unfortunately for the Country as a whole, they don’t have any real competence in their legal department.

ICASA have paid out millions in failed legal action to a host of telecoms operators over the past few years. These include Nextcom for the CELLC bid and Megawan for unauthorized equipment confiscation.

ICASA have taken the back seat on legal action for now, due to budget constraints, so now is probably the best time to take pro-active steps towards market driven liberalization.

South Africans have forgotten the price we paid for mistakes of the past, and the struggle for a just political dispensation in this country. The battle for power to the people continues at an economic level. Big corporations, and the historically privileged few, still seem control this countries purse strings at the expense of the man on the street.

My suggestion, support initiatives like what "Nrv" is suggesting, and actively lobby at all levels for the use of alternative technologies and VoIP.

As a black man going to the beach with your white brother was illegal in the 80’s. VoIP is illegal today. Are you going to use VoIP? Or will you let the system deprive you of your rights just because the current regime says its illegal ?

[stoke]

Go ratezone !!!! Weeeeee.
Personally - i have told Teklom to not provide me with ADSL for a while and will use the monee saved to purchase some good rf stuff. Edenvale will be wireless next. eta = 4 months - sigh.

The more you know - the worse it gets.

[MaD]

VoIP may be illegal but according to current legislation so is sending a morse code message across the road with a torch.

If I feel like calling someone overseas you can be bloody sure I'd use Skype or a Callback service, no way will I use Telkom with prices like those. The legislation sucks and ICASA can't do their jobs properly due to budget constraints - I say do what you want.


<font color="navy"><font size="1"><b>Where others have progress, we have Telkom.</b>
Hellkom website - www.hellkom.co.za</font id="size1"></font id="navy">

[freeek]

I agree! They can't stop the whole country. Force them 2 deregulate

..- dot dot dash ;)

[X5]

It can't be left for Aerosat to fight for this deregulation alone, they need help. If Aerosat and their legal team can take on Icasa, everyone should help. Aerosat and their legal team have done some amazing stuff. They are the only WISP to have taken Icasa to court and to have won. <b>It might have only been the first round, but they won</b>, and got some of their equipment back.

You should contact Aerosat and their legal team in Port Elizabeth. They will be able to help you.

I support you, and so should everyone else, so go for it.

[dominic]

NRV

Are you aware of any other ICASA legal actions aimed at WISPs currently taking place?

How is Aerosat planning to deal with the licencing issue?

dominic

[moon]

When did aerosat win this case.
I am all for supporting deregulation on wireless and would like to give some support to the wireless movement. Will be contacting Aerosat later today.
Any other new developments nrv ?

Wireless all the way.

[Kowie]

Taking on ICASA on this matter is of no use. You will need to take it one step futher and go directly to the minister.We have been expanding the largest wireless internet network in SA the last 3 years and we DO NOT plan to stop.

Our aim is to drop 24-hour broadband internet access to less than R 300 per month and create the largest hotspot the world have ever seen!

You might want to draw a petition and get it signed by thousands then we take it to the minister. You may think that things will change in 2005 after the announcement but I think you will get a very nasty surprise!

All the large companies and a few others are planning to start VoIP, wireless internet like Sentech and all kinds of dreams and schemes that will not work in a short period of time. They do the math and start but you cannot start a telecommunication infrastructure with R 5 million because it is not enough to go all the way or even national. You need to expand gradually like we do.

They came, they launched, they went bankrupt. ICASA has to date not closed down a single wireless internet service provider.

ICASA is not the problem.

Kowie Jacobs

[mbs]

Hey KOWIE - if that's you with the pick-axe, all strength to you in your endeavours! [:)][:)][:)]