Do I need an ICASA license for this?

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Cybertron436

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So my friends and I are planning on providing internet via Cat5 cables in closed communities, we wanted to know if we require and license to provide. Would be great if someone could help us out
 
It depends if you will simply be reselling another ISPs service, or rolling out your own network. By network I am not referring to last mile connectivity, but everything before that, including backhaul, data center space, peering links, local and international transit. If you are simply reselling, then no, you don't need a license.
 
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If you are reselling or installing equipment which is ICASA approved (99% is) then you do not need an ICASA licence for that. It is similar to installing CCTV, intercoms or alarm equipment. No licence is required.

It may change in the future, as in Germany and the UK, municipal licences are required for this
 
I think more info is required. You would possibly require both a Class ECNS & Class ECN it just depends on how you going to lay the network out. if you cross a boundary or backhaul via microwave you will require both licenses.
 
eddief1 said:
I think more info is required. You would possibly require both a Class ECNS & Class ECN it just depends on how you going to lay the network out. if you cross a boundary or backhaul via microwave you will require both licenses.
Click to expand...

This. It is illegal to transmit signals (especially with cable) over a boundary / ERF.
 
McGuywer said:
Merely selling internet access via WiFi to my neighbors in a complex? Licence needed?
Click to expand...

I would say yes but I might be very wrong...I would say you need a Class ECNS & Class ECN, you have essentially built a network and sold services over it
 
Thanks for the feed back so far I'll give the exact details now

So we use Afrihost or Telkom 40Mbps uncapped (we are in areas next Benmore and Fourways exchange so we are covered) which is then put through a switch with Ethernet ports which will connect each household that orders and cameras that are used for security. If we have the written consent of the owners of the houses the cables go into and the complex/closed communities we do it in do we require a license and if so which one and how much? I can see the ECNS license on the ICASA website but no pricing is provided.
Any further help would be appreciated :)
 
I think they are referring to a municipal boundary, which definitely includes roads. So if your cabling crosses a road, then you need a license. I'm not sure if the boundary between adjacent properties counts, but it could very well be.

You should probably contact ICASA to get the correct info and laws governing this. A law firm that specialises in the telecoms field is probably a better option, but might cost you. You could try Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions. They are often quoted on MyBroadband, and I think they do work for ISPA and other telecoms players.
 
Before you start with anything I would suggest you do some more research...first of all Cat5 has a distance limit, you might run into problems there, secondly you need QOS and a way to separate clients traffic, you don't want everyone being able to access shares etc on someone else's computer in the complex or one user hogging bandwidth with torrent etc...it only takes one user to grind the network to a halt without QOS, and lastly, if you are going through all the trouble of running cables through the complex it should be nothing else but fibre. There are extra costs for splicing/equipment but per metre fibre is about the same price as cat5. I also suggest you contact Ellipsis to get legal advise. PM me if you require some help.
 
Thanks Eddi. I'll rather try to find a Fibre equivalent of Cat5 and we are using a bandwidth manageable switch which means we are able to give a specific speed to a specific user, this is to avoid the some of the problems you listed.
 
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