[MLB-WIRELESS] Melbwireless Digest, Vol 12, Issue 15

[Gráinne O'Donovan]

>
>
> David Ashburner wrote:
>
> > The gist of the letter Steve received is "would we compete
> > with and be advantaged relative to a commercial provider".
> >
> > This is a massive loophole that allows them to deny us an exemption.
> >
> > If we so much as offer anything for free that is an advantage
> > to us for attracting customers ( who may not take up a
> > contract with a commercial provider as a result ) and
> > therefore grounds to reject an exemption.
> >
> > If we charge for anything then we are commercial and don't
> > qualify for an exemption
> >
> > catch-22
>
> The whole Ministerial exemption thing means that they can do whatever the
> hell they want.  Screw that whole "rule of law" concept. :(  I reckon we
> should post that letter on the website as the answer to "why don't we have
> Internet" question.
>
> If a licence-free community ISP were to be unfair competition to
> commercial
> ISPs, what does this say about the framework that industry operates
> in?  Are
> Australian ISPs so pissweak that they couldn't compete with a bunch of
> volunteer hobbyist geeks (us)?
>
> Do commercial radio stations complain about unfair competition from RRR,
> PBS
> and the ABC?  Is Channel 9 seriously worried that Channel 31 is stealing
> market share?  Is Australian society worse-off because of the existence of
> community broadcasters?  No, in fact we are far better off - community
> radio
> and TV bring many benefits - which I won't go into now.  I believe the
> same
> arguments should apply to community ISPs.
>
> We need to make these arguments to people in power - not the just the ACMA
> and the Minister, but Senators and MPs from the other parties.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dan
>

Okay, me being a total noob, my ignorance of how the setup actually works
will now come into play. But, perhaps you lot could add your thoughts

If the problem is that we might be advantaged as against other ISP's,
couldn't we structure the arrangement in such a way that, in fact, we
wouldn't be advantaged. eg.Being a part of the Melbourne wireless network
requires people to set up their own hardware, doesn't it?.That would
automatically limit our membership and could be said to be a significant
DISADVANTAGE that Melbourne Wireless would have as against other ISP's.

Dan's argument about competition between radio stations could be expressed
in this way. The approach that the Minister is currently taking is squashing
innovation and the development of technical expertise in telecommunications
market - in direct conflict with the express intention of the legislation.
The Minister should be nurturing community groups and cottage industries
that are trying new things.


Grace to you,
Grainne
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