Hi guys,
I'm trying to figure out the purpose of an ECS and an ECNS license, and the difference between the class version and the individual version.
I know ECNS alows me to dig up roads and lay my own infrastructure (should I go wifi/wireless, I'll need a spectrum license as well)... but what is an ECS license for?
Can I still provide value-added services like reselling SAIX bandwidth on ADSL with an ECS license. Could I even start my own VoIP company and provide cheaper telephone routing using the internet as an infrastructure?
Anyway, just looking for some basic info on these licenses.
Thanks
ECNS - gives right to roll out and operate infrastructure (of whatever kind)
ECS - gives right to provide services over your own or someone else's infrastructure
look at adsl as an example: the physical copper pair coming into your house would require an ECNS licence while providing internet access services over this copper pair would require an ECS licence
then the licence break down into individual (I) and class (C), so
IECNS - right to roll out and operate a physical network of national or provincial scope
CECNS - right to roll out and operate a physical network of national or municipal scope
[i.e. the difference for ECNS has to do with geographical scope]
IECS - right to provide services nationally over your own or someone else's network + right to access numbers from the national numbering plan (any kind of numbers...not just 087)
CECS - right to provide services nationally over your own or someone else's network
[i.e. the difference for ECS is all about numbers]
Spectrum is a completely different licensing element for which you would need an ECNS licence to qualify. ICASA is working on this (...) and there should be some progress this year although it is impossible to predict at this stage what will happen. For the moment use of licence exempt frequency within the applicable regulations is the only option for those wanting to provide wireless access services (or there is a possibility of using someone else's spectrum if you can negotiate this).
You can provide value added services with an ECS or fall within a licence exemption as a reseller. Generally an ECS licence will be required so that you can do directly to an ECNS licensee and obtain wholesale rates [this is also a bit confused at the moment]. To provide a VoIP service you would need an IECS (or you could negotiate for a sub-allocation of numbers from someone who already has them)
hth
