Private Wireless LAN

[tinusg]

Firstly i would like to apologize for brining this up again, I'm sure it has been covered many times though somehow the discussion always steers itself in a different reason and I can't seem to get a clear answer for my question anywhere.
MY QUESTION:
I live 2km from my office in Centurion. I would like to log on to my office network by means of Wireless connection. I will not resell bandwidth or any other resources. 1. Will i be able to do this legally? 2. What equipment will I need to accomplish this goal?

 

[tinusg]

anyone? Is this a difficult question, or do you have a special password or code not to answer newbie questions?

 

[skydog]

anyone? Is this a difficult question, or do you have a special password or code not to answer newbie questions?

Patients is the special password.
The questions i'm sure has been answered somewhere.
also look at http://www.jawug.za.net it will answer our second question

but to make it simple for you.

1. Will i be able to do this legally?

No.

2. What equipment will I need to accomplish this goal?

LOS
2 X APs (AP must be able to connect as a client or ad hoc mode)or wireless cards.
2 X 24dBi grids
2 X pigtail from AP to antenna
housing for APs
UTP cable from AP to PC

 

[RichardP]

U wont get legal advice here ... do you go over 120KM/H on the highway? .. thats also illegal As long as u stay out of peoples noses and keep power below 100mW, I dont think there will be any problems.

 

[tinusg]

thank you, i will have a look. I guess sometimes I do go over 120km/h. Let the games begin!!

 

[tinusg]

thank you, i will have a look. I guess sometimes I do go over 120km/h. Let the games begin!!

 

[telkomsuig]

It's not legal but highly unlikely you will be prosecuted unless you start selling bandwith etc...

 

[MobileAllOver]

I suggest you start with a signal test - configure an AP at work and see if you can access it from home. Otherwise you can use a local SP with 30Gb national traffic - works for me...

 

[henkk78]

Legality

2 things on it being legal or not.

1. There has never been a specific law that prohibits Wi-Fi usage across public boundaries.

The Telecommunications Act of 1976 pretty much prohibits you from using tincans and a piece of string to communicate with your neighbour, UNLESS you have a license.

You can always apply for a license, but it's overkill considering how cheap hardware is these days. In 1976 you would have needed some fairly serious hardware to setup a network with your office.

2. The good news is that with the new Electronic Communications Bill you will no longer need a license for communications in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. (wi-fi, baby monitors, cordless phones)

Using Wi-Fi to connect to your office is far less dangerous than speeding in any case, and if it means you'll be more productive, then it's a bonus to the country's economy

3. Okay, there's a third thing: It seems that for some reason in South Africa we've been sucessfully brainwashed by Telkom to think that anything that might eat into their profits is 'illegal'. Most countries things start out as being 'legal' before someone would come along and impose restrictions. For some reason, we have restrictions on technologies that don't even exist yet because of antiquated laws.

When last was someone prosecuted for 'illegal Wi-Fi usage'? Let all of us stop telling new Wi-Fi users it's illegal, because all we're doing is playing into Telkom's hands and further screwing ourselves and our economy. If someone asks, tell them about the new Electronic Communications Bill (ECB) that will soon be ratified, not the 1976 Telecommunications Act. Sorry to all the lawyers out there, but we're closer to the 2006 ECB by about 30 years.

Yeah! Fi!

*UPDATE* - The bill has already been ratified and approved by parliament. All that's still needed is the President's signature. You can download the bill in PDF format at http://www.icasa.org.za/Documents.aspx?Page=105