WiMax spectrum conundrum

dominic said:
no problem here other than that the WUGs should be using the outdoor hiperlan band (5423 - 5725MHz) rather than the 5.8 ISM band which is currently allocated for use by short range devices with an eirp of 25mW
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For some reason the term "5.8 band" has become quite commonplace - but the equipment we use on JAWUG is in fact correctly restricted to the hiperlan band when configured to the 'south africa' region :)
 
ambo said:
For some reason the term "5.8 band" has become quite commonplace - but the equipment we use on JAWUG is in fact correctly restricted to the hiperlan band when configured to the 'south africa' region :)
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Ah, good, it is just noobs like me that call it 5.8ghz :eek:

Oops :p
 
Pilgrim said:
Ok, cool. I am not exactly sure what ranges we use, but I think it is in there somewhere.

I read that wifi should not use the 5600 - 5650 range, as it is by weather radar systems. (http://www.wapa.org.za/2009/07/09/w...tion-and-transparency-in-spectrum-management/)

Dominic, is there any other open spectrums that can be used without a license? I know amateur radio uses a low frequency etc, is there a list somewhere that I can have a look at?
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correct on the weather radar systems - this is causing a major headache particularly in gauteng

licence exempt spectrum in SA and the uses to which it is allocated and technical restrictions - [to be inserted: Texo is down so is my site :(]

ambo said:
For some reason the term "5.8 band" has become quite commonplace - but the equipment we use on JAWUG is in fact correctly restricted to the hiperlan band when configured to the 'south africa' region :)
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excellente - the 5.8 terminology is indeed confusing
 
Interesting that the Screamer CEO didn't confirm that they have obtained/licensed the spectrum legally...

If Screamer is using the spectrum legally: Well done to them for having the balls to take a business risk and develop the infrastructure while other companies are whining about regulations.

If Screamer is using the spectrum illegally: ICASA is failing big time! As far as I know Screamer has been operating for more than 8 months...
 
From what I remember from previous articles that have been done on this subject both Screamer and Sentech are under non-disclosures or confidentiality clauses or both and hence the silence/denials.
 
ICASA well aware!

dominic wrote:
"this goes back to when screamer came out of global web intact / global web and there are most definitely questions to be answered as i have seen correspondence where Sentech were aware of this as far back as 2005"

Screamer/WDS installed 2.5 GHz equipment back in 2006 at one of their locations using Navini equipment. They were shut down by ICASA for a couple of months but has restarted their Wimax service and has been operating in this band for at least 2.5 years at this market location. ICASA and Sentech must be well aware of the arrangement.

There should be a use it or lose it policy. If Sentech is not using their spectrum there should not be any scope to make deals under the table. I would like to see official responeses from ICASA, Sentech and Screamer about the matter.
 
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PJK said:
dominic wrote:
"this goes back to when screamer came out of global web intact / global web and there are most definitely questions to be answered as i have seen correspondence where Sentech were aware of this as far back as 2005"

Screamer/WDS installed 2.5 GHz equipment back in 2006 at one of their locations using Navini equipment. They were shut down by ICASA for a couple of months but has restarted their Wimax service and has been operating in this band for at least 2.5 years at this market location. ICASA and Sentech must be well aware of the arrangement.

There should be a use it or lose it policy. If Sentech is not using their spectrum there should not be any scope to make deals under the table. I would like to see official responeses from ICASA, Sentech and Screamer about the matter.
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@PJK

Your allegations about Icasa having shut down any of Screamers operations are complete fabrications and are obviously designed, as your first post, to try and elicit some kind of industry reaction. Our competitors are constantly making these kinds of allegations to try and find out what Screamers strategies are, but they won't work.
The only truth in your post is that we have been operating (and growing) our WiMAX network for the past 2.5 years and the fact that there has been no reaction from ICASA to it must mean that there is some legality to the spectrum usage.

As our CEO noted in the article there has not been public disclosure about the "arrangements" due to strategic reasons, which every company is entitled to, but he will be in a position to make some announcement in about 60 days time.
 
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howzit said:
@PJK

Your allegations about Icasa having shut down any of Screamers operations are complete fabrications and are obviously designed, as your first post, to try and elicit some kind of industry reaction. Our competitors are constantly making these kinds of allegations to try and find out what Screamers strategies are, but they won't work.
The only truth in your post is that we have been operating (and growing) our WiMAX network for the past 2.5 years and the fact that there has been no reaction from ICASA to it must mean that there is some legality to the spectrum usage.

As our CEO noted in the article there has not been public disclosure about the "arrangements" due to strategic reasons, which every company is entitled to, but he will be in a position to make some announcement in about 60 days time.
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You guys have one problem: You reached a point where you became a threat to some of telscums profits, so now they will try to force their lapdogs icaca to shut you down.

I truly hope that they don't succeed, best of luck Screamer!

P.S. When will Cape Town start Screaming?
 
howzit said:
@PJK

Your allegations about Icasa having shut down any of Screamers operations are complete fabrications and are obviously designed, as your first post, to try and elicit some kind of industry reaction. Our competitors are constantly making these kinds of allegations to try and find out what Screamers strategies are, but they won't work.
The only truth in your post is that we have been operating (and growing) our WiMAX network for the past 2.5 years and the fact that there has been no reaction from ICASA to it must mean that there is some legality to the spectrum usage.

As our CEO noted in the article there has not been public disclosure about the "arrangements" due to strategic reasons, which every company is entitled to, but he will be in a position to make some announcement in about 60 days time.
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Maybe I can comment here as an active WiMax provider.

There is only one path to getting licensed spectrum in South Africa; It must be issued by ICASA. And if it is issued by ICASA it is in the public domain.

The list of licensed WiMax operators in South Africa today include iBurst, Telkom, Sentech and Neotel. I'm not aware of any other operators having received spectrum.

ICASA cannot issue spectrum and not disclose it for 'strategic' reasons. At least not in a band that is there for commercial use.
 
jannievanzyl said:
Maybe I can comment here as an active WiMax provider.

There is only one path to getting licensed spectrum in South Africa; It must be issued by ICASA. And if it is issued by ICASA it is in the public domain.

The list of licensed WiMax operators in South Africa today include iBurst, Telkom, Sentech and Neotel. I'm not aware of any other operators having received spectrum.

ICASA cannot issue spectrum and not disclose it for 'strategic' reasons. At least not in a band that is there for commercial use.
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Please don't attempt to read into my post that I insinuated that ICASA was witholding information for any reason.
 
jannievanzyl said:
Maybe I can comment here as an active WiMax provider.

There is only one path to getting licensed spectrum in South Africa; It must be issued by ICASA. And if it is issued by ICASA it is in the public domain.

The list of licensed WiMax operators in South Africa today include iBurst, Telkom, Sentech and Neotel. I'm not aware of any other operators having received spectrum.
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That would be my understanding as an active telecoms lawyer. There have also been some regional allocations of suitable frequency to USALs. There is, unfortunately, no regulatory framework for secondary assignments so only ICASA gets to give it out.

jannievanzyl said:
ICASA cannot issue spectrum and not disclose it for 'strategic' reasons. At least not in a band that is there for commercial use.
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..unfortunately ICASA is holding onto the Master Frequency Register which is also (allegedly) in the public domain
 
Cape Town will be screaming shortly , maybe when u see a new unregistered
Bmw then it will be there with full 5 year motorplan
 
ambo said:
For some reason the term "5.8 band" has become quite commonplace - but the equipment we use on JAWUG is in fact correctly restricted to the hiperlan band when configured to the 'south africa' region :)
Click to expand...

Except that that South Africa setting does not differentiate between the indoor/outdoor sections of the band.

Lower half=indoor (200mW eirp) - note: not 25mW, as per Government Gazette 31321, Amendment to General Notice 929 of 29 July 2008
upper half=outdoor (1W eirp)

Oh - and back to the topic... go Screamer GO!
 
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Now tell me Howzit.... Why in 60 days?????? If he(CEO) is certain of all, why not give us he's statement NOW??? For what reason would he need 60 days.
 
Wispweb said:
Now tell me Howzit.... Why in 60 days?????? If he(CEO) is certain of all, why not give us he's statement NOW??? For what reason would he need 60 days.
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I think that the commitment to comment is enough. I can understand other ISP's maybe being a little agro regarding the apparent secrecy. One can only assume that Screamer would be shut down by the end of the week, had ICASA not been to some extent, satisfied with whatever arrangement there might be.

Going at the screamer rep on the forum will not be likely to speed any responses. I think that if Screamer are comfortable waiting 60 days (maybe it's in a contract or something), then so be it. I have not seen people who are customers of Screamer getting nervous or anxious regarding this.

I think the biggest issue with waiting, is that potential customers (such as myself) would rather wait for the outcome/announcement than sign up immediately (although some cash constraints have hit me in the past week :sick:). With that said, the Screamer products certainly do seem very competitive. Should I sign with them in 60days, then my wishlist would be that they mirror some ftp servers on their network and allow a "Cybersmart type" nightrider package, esp for on net downloads...
 
dominic said:
That would be my understanding as an active telecoms lawyer. There have also been some regional allocations of suitable frequency to USALs. There is, unfortunately, no regulatory framework for secondary assignments so only ICASA gets to give it out.



..unfortunately ICASA is holding onto the Master Frequency Register which is also (allegedly) in the public domain
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So,
  1. the spectrum assignment is (sort of) public knowledge and Screamer has not been assigned spectrum (as per Jannie).
  2. it is not legal to 'resell' your assigned spectrum
Doesn't this imply that the only way that Screamer can use spectrum is illegally? But, as Howzit pointed out ICASA hasn't shut them down. Very curious what the Screamer CEO will have to say. Either way, I hope this isn't the beginning of the end for Screamer as I think they've done a fine job of giving consumers more choices.
 
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