Two steps forward

Would be excellent if companies like IS lay down infrastructure but I understand why Verizon are waiting because the minister needs to be clearer in her policy directives.

Biggest shock is that Sentech is piped to get the only mobile TV license ... now what have they done lately ... hmmm ... that would be nothing, in the telecoms space. They've had a golf day for young girls and a couple of cute charity functions. Why do they deserve it? Why do we need to only hand out one, just give 'em out and see who does the best job (unless of course you like state control).

EDIT: see Duncan has covered this in one of his other articles about 'Cellphone TV' ... presents a good argument for allowing industry to decide on type of technology to be used.
 
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Cara said:
Would be excellent if companies like IS lay down infrastructure but I understand why Verizon are waiting because the minister needs to be clearer in her policy directives.

Biggest shock is that Sentech is piped to get the only mobile TV license ... now what have they done lately ... hmmm ... that would be nothing, in the telecoms space. They've had a golf day for young girls and a couple of cute charity functions. Why do they deserve it?!?! Why do we need to only hand out one, just give 'em out and see who does the best job (unless of course you like state control).
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Ummm, just turn your TV or Radio on... ah, so that what Sentech's core business is.

Carrying signals of course, I see no issues in Sentech having the DVB-H broadcast licence as sentech in the signal distributor role has worked well for years, any operator gaining the okay from ICASA could then have Sentech carry the broadcast on the common DVB-H channel.

D
 
I just don't think they should be the only ones allowed to get this license. Let them have it but let other operators also give it a go and let them use whatever technology they want (don't only make provisions for DVB-H). So far Sentech is doing well with their broadcasting but they have problems launching new projects like their wireless broadband. I would prefer to have a more open situation where competition can determine who the best provider is. Let them all try, can't see any harm in that.

EDIT: btw agree that they're not quite doing nothing and comment about only hosting golf days was a bit too extreme :o (some very good people working hard at Sentech) but I don't see their wireless broadband products being advertised and I don't hear anything in the press from them regarding their broadband services, what I did hear about is their golf day and some other social development thing that happened.
 
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To change the subject, sorry Cara, if IS start laying their own infrastructure, could there also be a possibility of IS laying their own undersea cable, not just having access to SAT3?
 
Alchemist said:
To change the subject, sorry Cara, if IS start laying their own infrastructure, could there also be a possibility of IS laying their own undersea cable, not just having access to SAT3?
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Doubt they would have that in a short term plan. And doubt a single entity would go that route just yet. Maybe a new consortium though.

Its good to see IS taking an initiative though and planning aggresively. Verizon need to realise its easier to get forgiveness then ask for permission :D
 
Cara said:
I just don't think they should be the only ones allowed to get this license. Let them have it but let other operators also give it a go and let them use whatever technology they want (don't only make provisions for DVB-H). So far Sentech is doing well with their broadcasting but they have problems launching new projects like their wireless broadband. I would prefer to have a more open situation where competition can determine who the best provider is. Let them all try, can't see any harm in that.
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I agree. No company should be given a monopoly status again! Open up the markets. It can only be good for the consumer.
 
Again, mostly vapour ware and imminent happenings. A few of the big bouys have been given wimax testing licences...I suspect pretty much none of these players will be laying cable anywhere, costs are just too high. Most of the ISPs want to cut Telkom out of the last mile as this is where most savings and therefore profit can be squeezed but then all Telkom really has to do is drop last mile access fees. Good for the consumer to a degree. In high density areas users can already aggregate and share the last mile cutting costs. Wireless say 10 or 20 people together then all share the last mile link, this has huge savings potential. However, no doubtwireless will stay illegal unless you are in governments good books.
 
Alchemist said:
To change the subject, sorry Cara, if IS start laying their own infrastructure, could there also be a possibility of IS laying their own undersea cable, not just having access to SAT3?
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Think with govt's interest in Infraco and then in Sat3 that won't happen soon ... DPE wouldn't invest in building a cable if they thought that aspect of the market would open up IMO.

@Alchemist: no need to apologize, it was a conversation starter because I noticed you chaps were a bit slow off the mark this morning :D
 
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