[LINK] Number of ISPs continues to grow - now almost 1100

[Adam Todd]

>The key definition is:
>ISP (Internet Service Provider) - Organisations or people who provide 
>access to the internet to the public or other Internet service providers.

Don't really care about the ABS form, if three government departments have 
different terms:

ABS             Internet Service Provider
ACA             Carriage Service Provider
ABA             Internet Content Host

There are for all intents and purposes pretty much one and the same.    The 
ICH is perhaps the lowest in definitions because it may NOT fall under 
Section 86 of the Telco Act providing it does not allow third parties to 
communicate over it's network.

Due to the total disregard the ACA has for the meaning of written word, as 
far as *I* am concerned a Hosting provider that allows a person to upload a 
web page and another person to download said wb page, that falls outside of 
the immediate circle, means that communication is taking place and this the 
Hosting Provider is a CSP.

This is the same as for Bulletin Board services which don't allow REAL TIME 
access to the Internet.  The ACA has ruled they are a CSP because they 
allow communications between members of the public.

Last time I checked the reader of a most web pages was a third party or 
member of the public!

But it's not tested nor tried and could easily be won in a Court.

>That's therefore ISP in the broad, with IAP as a sub-set.

IAP is in the industry someone who provides connectivity but no services 
(email, web etc)

ISP is in the industry someone who provides all the services inc connectivity.

>The further question would then be how comprehensive ABS has succeeded in 
>being, firstly in identifying relevant 'organisations and people' to send 
>forms to, and secondly in cajoling them into sending them back with 
>meaningful information on them.

I can assure you now, when one ISP refused to fill in the form and sign it 
the ABS took a Phone Survey .

When asked "How many users did you have before DATE X"

He replied "A little under 5000"

When asked "How many users did you have after DATE X"

He replied "A little more than a little under 5000"

Others have been told by the ABS "Please just estimate the numbers if you 
can't work them out." So ISPs are just "estimating" numbers.  I've had to 
laugh so hard over some of the numbers because an ISp couldn't exist with 
the imbalance of users to line ratios that are often put forward.

If you read the ABS report, it's total baloney!