We need naked ADSL now: MWEB
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is currently a hot topic, with many consumers pinning their hopes on it for more affordable and faster ADSL services.
Communications Minister Roy Padayachie continues to punt November 2011 as the date that the LLU process will be completed, but many believe it is an unrealistic expectation as no regulatory guidelines are in place to make it happen.
LLU is a complex process which can take years to complete, and while Telkom as the incumbent operator is likely to resist LLU as long as possible, it is also reasonable for them to insist on clear guidelines from the regulator on how LLU should be conducted.
MWEB CEO Rudi Jansen seems to be well aware that LLU will not happen overnight, and urges the regulator to “go for the easy wins that will give immediate benefit to all.”
Jansen mentioned five key areas which can bring benefits to the South African ADSL market while everyone waits for full LLU to be implemented.
- We need naked ADSL where telephone and ADSL line rental is split and not conditional on the other.
- IPC that is more fairly priced and in an architecture that places less strain on the last mile, unlike the central point of aggregation we have now.
- We need more investment in speed to the last mile (faster than the 10 Mbps we get now).
- More exchanges needs to be upgraded to be ADSL capable.
- We need wholesale solutions for the mobile networks with better architecture from service providers to integrate into the mobile networks.
“This will give immediate benefit without the long drawn out process that will accompany LLU. It will also increase competition significantly,” concludes Jansen.
We need naked ADSL now: MWEB << comments and views
Loading ...