UniNet shows the WiFi way

[rpm]

http://www.mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=2409

 

[mancombseepgood]

Brilliant!

In Knysna the service provider, UniNet, owns and maintains the network whilst the project is financed through re-allocation of municipal operational capital. This means that no additional capital is needed by the municipality

Ths also solves the problem some critics brought up in the US about internet access not being a core local government duty... farm it out, but at least offer the service.

 

[Franna]

Is this the same UniNet that is domain squatting on www.sno.co.za

 

[allyoucaneat]

http://www.isango.und.ac.za/Reading Modules/05 Origins of the Web in SA/uninet_today.htm
In the late 1980s and 1990s Uninet was the network that connected the South African universitys. Not the same as UniNet.

 

[BTTB]

I am still amazed at the progressive officials that work at Knysna Municipality.
Other Municipalities around South Africa can take note.

Pity about the Knysna Police Service which was reflected by Carte Blanche on the 26th of March 2006.
Trouble in Paradise

 

[ThatOtherGuy]

Well, I'm proud to say that they are my WISP in Cape Town

 

[MaD]

Is this the same UniNet that is domain squatting on www.sno.co.za

Yep same people. They also had Helkom with one L but a quick call and all was sorted.. friendly people to deal with. I'm sure the SNO could just give them a call and ask for the domain..

 

[dominic]

Yep same people. They also had Helkom with one L but a quick call and all was sorted.. friendly people to deal with. I'm sure the SNO could just give them a call and ask for the domain..

i know that some of the sno shareholders found it pretty funny....

it is a very open secret

 

[Peter7]

Looks like we're getting closer to an open market where ISPs can self provide.

Maybe wishful thinking?! - I'll be an optimist on this one.

 

[Prometheus]

I wonder if anyone in|around Knysna still using a digicrap line, has considered approaching the beast & demanding lower digicrap rates - comparable to what UniNet are offering - if not, send some Telkodemonopolies digicrap salesperson an email straight away & see how much the price drops by [reciprocally dependent on whether the salesperson is aqainted with the smell of crumbling monopoly - the more the monopoly crumbles the higher the monopoly's prices]...

Telkom will never drop their price even if they lose business. If they do then they'll have to do it for the whole country or else every business will probably sue them for discrimination. That's probably why they are playing this card...

This project relies on the municipalities’ PTN license and UniNet’s VANS license to stay out of hot water when it comes to telecoms regulation. Last year Telkom said that UniNet’s project is in contravention of the Telecommunications Act, and has taken the issue to ICASA.

Funny how Telkom's always whining when its project is against the Humanitarian Act.

Is this the same UniNet that is domain squatting on www.sno.co.za

Now we know why it's www.[B]snot[/B]elecom.co.za

 

[Tommygun]

I agree with BTTB and the significance of this article/development should not be underestimated. We just need more people to follow suit. I do suspect though that this is against the letter of the law, as is most wireless connectivity beyond property borders done without involving a licenced carrier. the ethos now should be "Just do it".

 

[dominic]

I do suspect though that this is against the letter of the law, as is most wireless connectivity beyond property borders done without involving a licenced carrier. the ethos now should be "Just do it".

i think more properly it may be against the spirit of the law as opposed to the letter...(the spirit of the telecomms act being "if it doesn't favour telkom then fsck it")

there will be further developments on the Knysna model and there are strong indications that the DoC will adopt the model

i cannot support "just do it" without qualification - it is not necessary to ignore the law as there appear to be ways to work with it

 

[Prometheus]

i cannot support "just do it" without qualification - it is not necessary to ignore the law as there appear to be ways to work with it

I think you're right on this one, but not for reasons of "being good citizens". Laws are often very specific, stating that you may only install your own 'lines' if you have a licence for doing so or you must have a licence for using reserved spectrum. A company providing access through non-reserved spectrum and using the lines of the municipality (which has a licence to install them) is a completely legal operation.

Some people may call this a legal loophole. It happens more often with sh1tty laws that are not meant to protect anyone's interests, but rather to further those of a few selfish people. These laws then tend to become so specific that a good lawyer can easily find a way around them.

This is what's happening here: government is favouring its own interests above those of its citizens, so its citizens will find a way around them, no matter how much Telkom whines.

 

[Tommygun]

it is not necessary to ignore the law as there appear to be ways to work with it

Fair enough. But can I work within the law and transmit data to and from my next door neighbour without having to involve a third party (Generaly someone brandishing a large bill).