[LINK] Power to the People

[Roger Clarke]

>>  A telecommunications analyst, Paul Budde, said it was a world-first
>>  commercial trial. "It is absolutely a threat to Telstra because it is
>>  the first time that you can really see infrastructure-based
>>  competition."
>
"Paul Brooks" <pbrooks-link at bwp.net.au>:
>first time? TransACT isn't infrastructure-based competition? Unwired and
>PBBA and a host of other radio/microwave access networks aren't?
>Paul should know better.

I assume that Paul (Budde) was trying to say 'based on *existing* 
*network* infrastructure (especially in the awkward 'last mile' to 
the consumer), rather than requiring investment in and deployment of 
major new infrastructure'.

TransACT had to lay much cable, with lots of black boxes (not quite 
enough though, because I'm in a dead corner).  It then lost lots of 
brand new cable and black boxes along Coolemon Ridge when the fires 
went past Bernard Robertson-Dunn and myself - and straight through 
many friends' houses;  and hence TransACT had to re-invest and 
re-deploy.

Wireless services OTOH have to install central and 
regional/cell-level kit, but not last-mile infrastructure.  So I 
agree with Paul (Brooks) that the barrier to entry isn't as high for 
them as for a new starter using wired technology.

-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
                    Tel: +61 2 6288 1472, and 6288 6916
mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                http://www.xamax.com.au/

Visiting Professor in Info Science & Eng  Australian National University
Visiting Professor in the eCommerce Program      University of Hong Kong
Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre      Uni of NSW