VANS can build own networks, says ISPA

ICASA has said that value-added network service and mobile cellular telecommunications service operators may self-provide their own fixed lines by obtaining facilities for fixed lines from a telecoms facility provider of their choice, using those facilities in accordance with its own service licence. It was suggested that this interpretation meant VANS and MCTS operators would not be able to build their own infrastructure, reports ITWeb. But Ant Brooks, of ISPA, says that as far as the association is concerned, VANS providers are fully entitled to roll out their own wireless networks as long as they have ICASA-approved equipment and a licence to use any frequency spectrum used for wireless links. Full ITWeb report

All of SA\'s major ISPs were ready to tackle the voice over Internet Protocol market when the liberalisation kicks in on February 1 next year, says Arthur Goldstuck of World Wide Worx. He said that over the last year all major ISPs had been positioning themselves for the change. Hillel Shrock, of Internet Solutions, said that the major issue that still required clarification was the interconnection regime. Without interconnection agreements in place, it would mean that calls generated on one network that terminated on another, would not be easily billable, reports Business Report. The Independent Communications Authority of SA said that it would help industry to finalise these details by February 28 at the latest. Goldstuck noted that with the introduction of VoIP services, the Internet market would grow. This would initially be seen with dial-up users migrating to broadband solutions. Full report in Business Report Read another Business Report article on the likely effects of liberalisation