[LINK] Power to the People

[Paul Brooks]

> "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'.

Generally I take the phrase 'infrastructure-based competition' to mean 
'providing an alternative by not using the other guys stuff' - whether 
that means installing 'new infrastructure', or using some 'existing 
infrastructure' in a new way. 
 
> 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.

FWIW, I was the TransACT CTO at the time - I breathed the smoke, and 
remember that week and the aftermath vividly. Fortunately insurance 
covered most/all of the 're-invest', but the re-deploy still hasn't 
recovered the customer-base - as sods law would have it, those areas that 
burnt were precisely those with the highest penetration.

---  
Dr Paul Brooks                 |      pbrooks at bwp.net.au
Technology Partner             |      Mob 0414 366 605
Brooks Worrad & Partners       |      Ph  +61 2 9402 7355