Wi are we waiting?

[Drake2007]

http://www.fmtech.co.za/?p=11430

Companies in the technology sector are getting impatient at the delays by industry regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa), in dividing up the spectrum needed to provide wireless broadband services, using the technology known as WiMax.

Now US chip giant Intel has joined the chorus of complaints and has called on Icasa to auction the spectrum as soon as possible.

“Icasa is constantly explaining to the market that it is protecting consumers,” says Intel sub-Saharan WiMax marketing development manager Gavin Coetzer. “But by delaying issuing WiMax spectrum, the regulator is harming consumers by limiting choice and not allowing new competition to develop.”

 

[Playoff]

Intel have made it quite clear that they want the big players with money to get the spectrum and don't give a rats about creating competition with some of the smaller players or BEE companies in this Telecoms space.

They are quite happy that it is auctioned off to the highest bidder and that the big incumbent service providers are also given a some of the spectrum. We are not fooled that they want the spectrum allocated quickly so that there is more competition. The sooner it is allocated the sooner they start selling.

It is not surprising that they have this attitude however because the OEM's have more to make if there is more money available to be thrown their way.

ICASA's current thinking to evaluate the applicants to make sure they have the expertise and funds to use the spectrum before it is allocated will make sure that more of the funds are available for deployment and don't wind up getting spent in exhorbitent bidding fees and ICASA's coffers.

It will also make sure that some of the smaller players get a bite of the telecoms pie because we all know that the incumbents have accumulated large cash piles by raping the SA user and this practise needs to stop when new competition is installed. Joe Public's interests are not high on Intel's agenda.