[MLB-WIRELESS] Here comes the pain...

[Dale Clapperton]

http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,5134609%5E15318%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html


THE federal Government will today sign a ministerial determination
allowing wireless internet companies to sidestep telecommunications
industry rules.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Richard Alston said he would sign documents today that ensured carrier
licensing obligations became "technologically neutral".

Under the new rules, wireless carriers will no longer be required to
apply for telco carrier licences, waiving an existing regulatory
obligation to pay $10,000 in application fees as well as a percentage of
annual service fees.

"Prior to this determination, wireless equipment used in internet cafes
or hotspots could be subject to carrier licensing obligations, which
would not apply if the same business had been using cable to network its
computers," Senator Alston told an internet conference today.

"By treating wireless technology similarly tocable-based networks,
businesses using wireless technologies will not be unfairly
disadvantaged by the carrier licensing obligations.

"This will encourage new players into the market and develop technology
to boost the sector."

Addressing the Smart Internet Technology Co-operative Research Centre
conference, Senator Alston said a House of Representatives committee
report on wireless internet was expected to be handed down by the end of
2002.





To unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo at wireless.org.au
with "unsubscribe melbwireless" in the body of the message