ICASA shuts down illegal WISPs

[rpm]

http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=1363

 

[stoke]

<Q>shut down six illegal wireless Internet service providers</Q>

The only one mentioned is Hermanus-based BDC Internet Service Solutions.

Now - why exactly was this one mentioned ?

<Q>ICASA chief technical officer (licensing enforcement) Andre Rossouw however says Van Den Berg cannot have spoken to the appropriate people within the organisation. If he had, they would have given him the proper information.</Q>

BUT - NO - THIS IS NOT RIGHT. WHY IS THE CORRECT INFORMATION SO DAMN DIFFICULT TO LOCATE ?

/me challenges Andre Rossouw to point me to the correct people and information.
/me then challenges Andre Rossouw to make that information and said people easy to get hold of.
i.e. There is a problem here - fix it - it's what you're paid to do.

 

[TheRoDent]

This is in line with what we've heard in the market, and I think it's interesting to see that ICASA is finally taking a stand on this.

What I'd like to know, is what Uninet's status is at this point? I know they've operated in CapeTown for a while too. The Knysna network is the Knysna councils' network so Uninet cannot get gaffed for that, but what about Uninet's own Cape WISP operations?

 

[RichardP]

I also wonder what the story is on "Freedom of Information" networks that dont offer internet access.. non commercial private homes such as Jawug et al.

 

[TheRoDent]

Well, the new Communications Act effectively says that there's no license required for a "non profit network".

As dominic pointed out, it essentially means that community run networks like Jawug is legal. From well... A sort of legal point of view

 

[TheRoDent]

Originally Posted by badly written legal doc
Licence exemption
6. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may prescribe the-
(a) type of electronic communications services that may be provided;
(b) type of electronic communications networks that may be operated;
(c) type of electronic communications network services that may be provided;
and
(d) radio frequency spectrum that may be used,
without a licence.

(2) The electronic communications services, electronic communications networks, electronic communications network services and radio frequency spectrum contemplated in subsection (1) may include, but are not limited to-
(a) electronic communications services provided on a not-for-profit basis;

There we go.

 

[RichardP]

Thanks Rodent ..

 

[captainwifi]

... but what about Uninet's own Cape WISP operations?

Let's just rephrase that slightly. "...Uninet's own Cape data crossing the
street via Dslam/Wi-fi/copper/fiber operations".
This would also be more consistent with how Icasa sees the network.
I would also like to know how Icasa will deal with a fiber network
tunneled under a road in the present and new legislation. Individuals on
such a network could sell services for profit and others use it for non-profit on the same fiber link. Would Icasa based on some people violating
the non-profit clause be able to send in the bulldozers?

And getting a court order against one chappie is easy. Try and do that against
500 houses, ripping off their copper wire.

And another thing. In 2003 Uninet's stuff was confiscated. They had no Vans license, but
they just carried right-on with their services, because they had many distributed towers.
So Icasa you can't just open a docket agianst Ryno because he had no Vans license.
You are the only people who can provide that Vans license, but you don't want to give
Ryno a proper decent answer as why you can't give him a Vans. You can't explain why it
takes for ever to get a vans once a person applies for one etc., etc.

 

[kilos]

ICASA also shutdown FastWeb WISP in Knysna 2-3 years ago, same
procedure walkin and confiscated his equipment.

Now with Knysna Muni running without a VANS or PTN license & International Satellite access
bypassing Telkom anything goes if you are a Municipality, ICASA will not shut them
down.

 

[Siembambaa]

There we go.

Does this mean 100 people with 1 mbps ADSL connections can link themselves up via wifi and then load balance downloads accross their network? I.e. If only 10 people are downloading at once they get 10 mbps each*?

And lets say the hottie next door offers you sex for letting her share your adsl line via wifi that would be legal too?

*Assuming all the routing crap can be sorted out?

 

[MaD]

ICASA should focus on more important things like licensing the SNO and lowering the price of telecoms.. leave the small operations alone - people need them.

 

[dominic]

cannot really comment on the story other than to say six wisps have not been "shut down" + ICASA's left hand needs to meet the right (in this case perhaps the western cape ICASA needs to meet the national body) + in the absence of any judgement / conviction there remains no precedent and this remains ICASAs view

@ Rodent - important to remember that non-profit networks will not automatically be legal en the electronic communications act comes into being....only once ICASA finds the time and inclination to prescibe such services as not requiring a licence (and they can attachconditions to that)

 

[dominic]

And lets say the hottie next door offers you sex for letting her share your adsl line via wifi that would be legal too?

so she would be getting screwed for adsl internet access?

nothing new there....

 

[Tunasashimi]

ICASA is so full of ****. A VANS Licence is not adequate, it says in the article. But what then? I think they threw dice and then decided who to screw.

 

[RichardP]

So let me get this right - If I have a VANS license, then I am entitled to rip the public off ?

 

[d-_-b]

Mmm…

What kind of hardware is out there to start my own wireless network? Maybe between a mate and me, then we add another guy. That guy adds a friend. Oh did I mention one of us gets DSL and we share that…. Mmm. Will ICASA shut that down?

If anyone knows about a link or two and maybe can point me in the direction to a reseller that will sell me equipment I can either modify (Adding a bigger Arial etc.) or use directly to connect with my friend(s) 5 blocks away it would be appreciated.

<Evil Laugh>

 

[Tunasashimi]

So let me get this right - If I have a VANS license, then I am entitled to rip the public off ?

Telkom don't have one and they are. What's your point? ..As jy wil dom wees, geez. This is capitalism. Bluh.

 

[ernstn]

ICASA's Vision

Let us go for the small guy and remove more competition from Telkom so that our shares in Telkom can increase in value. We are not here to regulate Telkom(aka SAIX aka TelkomInternet) but only its opposition.

We can them claim some success for our CV's and let the rape continue unchecked and unabated!

 

[Tunasashimi]

The more likely scenario

Well, a more likely scenario is that someone (possibly with a VANS license) complained to ICASA about one or all of these WISPS.

Maybe even Telkom, who are possibly querying why fewer people are applying for ADSL Lines in this area. I could imagine that some official docs with some simple stats and motivations could motivate ICASA to show that is still exists. Picking on their own size.

 

[andres101]

Now with Knysna Muni running without a VANS or PTN license & International Satellite access bypassing Telkom anything goes if you are a Municipality, ICASA will not shut them down.

They have a municipal telephone network license.