Further to the article (http://www.mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=4126) and forum thread (http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=52673) relating to ICASA revisiting the ADSL regulations, I would like to make the following suggestion:
If ICASA can't do their job properly maybe they need to be shown how it's done. MyBroadband (MyADSL), comprised of users of all broadband services in SA, and with input from a number of the broadband providers and ISP's, is in the perfect position to draw up their own set of regulations, publish them, and send them to ICASA (and DoC?) as a framework for the final official regulations.
Submitting numerous suggestions, complaints, etc. to ICASA just gives them more work to do which they don't seem able to handle, so we will still be waiting for decent, workable regulations for months or years to come.
Providing them with a complete workable set of Broadband Regulations (not just ADSL regulations for reasons set out below) drawn up with input from all stakeholders, we may just be able to speed up the whole process.
I may be naive but I really do think that this option, combined with the publicity it can generate, can be more effective than just sending ICASA individual submissions.
MyBroadband is in the perfect position to do this, because MyBroadband
1) is a consumer group representing the interests of all broadband users in SA;
2) has members that are very knowledgeable of broadband;
3) has members that are lawyers that can draw up the regulations in good legalese without any loopholes;
4) can invite forum submissions from all its members, the public, the ISP's, the Broadband providers, and any other interested parties;
5) can set a deadline for all submissions which will then be used as input for the regulations drawn up by a panel selected by MyBroadband members;
6) can set a deadline for the panel to draw up the regulations;
7) can then publish these regulations on the internet and forward them to ICASA.
The whole process can proceed in a very transparent manner where all role players can monitor progress. (Thanks kaspaas!)
Why Broadband Regulations and not just ADSL Regulations?
ADSL is just one form of broadband internet access. Due to the situation with Telkom other broadband services have become major players in SA and also need to be regulated.
Additionally, Telkom are also planning to introduce other forms of broadband access and if they are only prevented from extorting users of ADSL they will then extort the users of these other services instead.
Telkom provide wholesale bandwidth for all forms of broadband access, not only ADSL, as they are currently the only supplier of bandwidth, especially international bandwidth.
There should be a holistic approach to regulating the entire broadband arena and a leveling of the playing field for all providers of broadband internet access.
If ICASA can't do the job for us then maybe we need to do it ourselves. What do you think?
(Thanks Raithlin for suggesting I start this thread!)
If ICASA can't do their job properly maybe they need to be shown how it's done. MyBroadband (MyADSL), comprised of users of all broadband services in SA, and with input from a number of the broadband providers and ISP's, is in the perfect position to draw up their own set of regulations, publish them, and send them to ICASA (and DoC?) as a framework for the final official regulations.
Submitting numerous suggestions, complaints, etc. to ICASA just gives them more work to do which they don't seem able to handle, so we will still be waiting for decent, workable regulations for months or years to come.
Providing them with a complete workable set of Broadband Regulations (not just ADSL regulations for reasons set out below) drawn up with input from all stakeholders, we may just be able to speed up the whole process.
I may be naive but I really do think that this option, combined with the publicity it can generate, can be more effective than just sending ICASA individual submissions.
MyBroadband is in the perfect position to do this, because MyBroadband
1) is a consumer group representing the interests of all broadband users in SA;
2) has members that are very knowledgeable of broadband;
3) has members that are lawyers that can draw up the regulations in good legalese without any loopholes;
4) can invite forum submissions from all its members, the public, the ISP's, the Broadband providers, and any other interested parties;
5) can set a deadline for all submissions which will then be used as input for the regulations drawn up by a panel selected by MyBroadband members;
6) can set a deadline for the panel to draw up the regulations;
7) can then publish these regulations on the internet and forward them to ICASA.
The whole process can proceed in a very transparent manner where all role players can monitor progress. (Thanks kaspaas!)
Why Broadband Regulations and not just ADSL Regulations?
ADSL is just one form of broadband internet access. Due to the situation with Telkom other broadband services have become major players in SA and also need to be regulated.
Additionally, Telkom are also planning to introduce other forms of broadband access and if they are only prevented from extorting users of ADSL they will then extort the users of these other services instead.
Telkom provide wholesale bandwidth for all forms of broadband access, not only ADSL, as they are currently the only supplier of bandwidth, especially international bandwidth.
There should be a holistic approach to regulating the entire broadband arena and a leveling of the playing field for all providers of broadband internet access.
If ICASA can't do the job for us then maybe we need to do it ourselves. What do you think?
(Thanks Raithlin for suggesting I start this thread!)
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