Mixed Signals

[rpm]

http://www.mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=1118

 

[armitage]

Hmmm. I use a wifi connection to get my internet access at home an I have to say dealing with a small company that provides my internet rather than the behemoth of a telkom is much more satisfying. The company is able to quickly and painlessly provide me with support and technical assistance if required. How long does it take telkom to get you hooked up to adsl?
I just wonder when the local wisp's are going to start going over to wimax. that would be so sweet seeing as how the local speed is so insanely good

 

[Dastrix]

Icasa will have to submit a radio frequency plan to government for approval. This document, which has to be drawn up within 12 months of the bill’s enactment, must provide details of how Icasa plans to allocate spectrum. This plan must then be updated once a year.

So this means that even after the bill is past it can take up to a year before the first operator is licensed?

 

[AntiThesis]

I think the 12 months is more a way of making sure it happens faster rather than slower. 12 Months is the maximum time it should take. It is fairly impportant to make sure the radio frequencies are properly allocated and not interfering. I know I've heard some complaints from people like amateur radio fanatics that the wireless traffic is screwing with broadcasts.

 

[mbs]

Spectrum regulated by the market?! Psshaww! Not feasible in our scenario. Best route is through regulation and licenses, monitored by independent entities preferably not from any interest group or with dubious attachments (suggest instead the world of academia)...

 

[Trybble]

I know I've heard some complaints from people like amateur radio fanatics that the wireless traffic is screwing with broadcasts.

Quite likely true, for receiving weak signals from satellites in the 2.4Ghz band. Then again, the ISM allocation for WLAN at 2.4Ghz is on a non-interference basis only so, in theory, a complaining amateur could get a WLAN shut down.

Besides there's always the numbers to consider:

2.4Ghz WLAN = 100mW EIRP max, including antenna gain.
2.4Ghz amateur = 400W transmitter output max. Excluding antenna gain.

Bets, anyone?

 

[noxibox]

Allowing the market to decide is exactly the wrong strategy. It has resulted in the wealthiest companies pushing out competition, and this ultimately leads to unhealthy consolidation. The 'market' is not a panacea. Let's not import faulty policy from other countries.

 

[Gabbahead]

I don't really see the significance. Wireless is still expensive and shaping is rife. Since this is a competitive part of the local market, what's the hold-up? Why do companies like Sentech get away with 'broadband' claims and iBurst still maintains an expensive and disabling capping policy? What will more wireless bring other than simply more clutter on a synthetically strangled network? The wireless market is the lesser of two evils, but it is by no means good.

They nearly had me with the hoax email that iBurstis dropping shaping. Alas it's back to Telkom - wireless is just too costly and iffy in performance.

As for government handling this, sorry if I lack faith. In their hands it is MOST likely to go to the highest bidder (or best tipper). In fact, what stops Telkom from moving in and taking a large chunk of the wireless market? It works with its future strategy and Telkom isn't oblivious to the business it is losing to the wireless operators.

Maybe we can look forward to more community wireless areas. You can trust the big ISPs will exploit this. Can you wait for the Mweb Wireless Ad? (With antivirus!)