Point to point Wireless Regulations?

[Phaff]

Does anyone know what exactly the ICASA regulation says about point to point wireless connections?

If I buy a 2.4 or 5.8 GHz wireless repeater and place it in my office block then place another in the building across the street and link the two does this infringe any laws?

ICASA's regulations are not very clear in this regard, I would appreciate it if anyone knew exactly what the law states.

We want to connect two sites via 2.4 of 5.8 MHz wireless but want to make sure we do it legally.

 

[mufasa]

Does anyone know what exactly the ICASA regulation says about point to point wireless connections?

If I buy a 2.4 or 5.8 GHz wireless repeater and place it in my office block then place another in the building across the street and link the two does this infringe any laws?

ICASA's regulations are not very clear in this regard, I would appreciate it if anyone knew exactly what the law states.

We want to connect two sites via 2.4 of 5.8 MHz wireless but want to make sure we do it legally.

Just for the record, ICASA are not clear about anything..... Is it legal? afaik No.(/me waits for captainpiss-ants comments....) Will they come hunt you down? No. Should you do it? Why not, nothing stopping you.
How long is this link btw?

 

[Trybble]

Hm, I thought the regulations were quite clear. Gazette #26193 spells out what the 2.4, 5.4 and 5.8Ghz bands (amongst others) can be used for and how. The Icasa Amendment Act spells out penalties of up to either R1mil or 10% of annual turnover per day upon conviction for non-licensed telecommunications services. It also permits the appointment of inspectors not on the Icasa payroll that can be remunerated according to a method/tariff determined by Icasa.

So, will they come and hunt you down? That depends. What if Icasa appoints inspectors on a "commission" basis of 1% of penalty paid per conviction? I'd say that'd motivate some "hunting down"...

... but then that's just speculation on my part. Me, I wouldn't be rushing to put up wireless LAN links across public roads right now.

- Trybble

 

[daffy]

I was under the impression that the ECA superceded all that?

 

[Trybble]

I was under the impression that the ECA superceded all that?

The EC Act supercedes the Telecommunications Act (Act 103 of 1996, as amended) but it cannot and does not create a regulatory vacuum. The regulations and licences issued under 103 are still valid until replaced. ICASA has 2 years to get that process completed, with a possible 6 month extension being permitted.

So, if you have a VANs licence issued before the EC Act and it says you have to get your telecommunication services from Telkom or SNO, those conditions remain in force. The promulgation of the EC Act and the ICASA Amendment Act doesn't immediately permit everybody to just go and do their thing.

BTW, those R1mil plus fines? Page 34, Gazette #28945... if you don't believe me. The "inspectors on commission" is just speculation on my part *but* the ability to appoint inspectors that are not in the full-time service of the Authority *is* contained in that Gazette. Look near the bottom of page 28.

Like I said, I personally won't be rushing around putting up wireless links just yet.

- Trybble.

 

[skydog]

The "inspectors on commission" is just speculation on my part *but* the ability to appoint inspectors that are not in the full-time service of the Authority *is* contained in that Gazette. Look near the bottom of page 28.

Like I said, I personally won't be rushing around putting up wireless links just yet.

- Trybble.

I don't think ICASA will get that right. I think the only they got right is the sleeping stance in the work place.

me.. I'm not going to rush around putting up wireless links just yet, either

 

[Trybble]

I don't think ICASA will get that right. I think the only they got right is the sleeping stance in the work place.

You never know. Somebody there might just put 1 and 1 together and figure it's a great way to get funding. After all, all of the pieces of the puzzle are there in the legislation. Makes me wonder why they were put there, especially the really steep increase in fines.

If I was a WISP pushing my luck, I'd start making plans on loading my tents and folding up my camels...

- Trybble

 

[Phaff]

Thanks for all the replies, we have asked for ICASA's comment but two weeks down the line....still not a word.
They are such a useless bunch...