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Interest in ADSL
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07-09-2001 7:28pm#1
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">he said that TO'R was interested in what he referred to as FWA(I presume it was WFA he meant - Wire Free A...)</font>
Naw, he meant what he said. FWA is "Fixed Wireless Access", also known as WLL or "Wireless [in the] Local Loop". It's what Chorus would call PowerNet if they didn't flush loadsa down the toilet on marketroids.<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">His parting shot to me was that he didn't think that ADSL would take off at all! Interesting, eh? Wish I had had more time to quiz him a bit further.</font>
I met an Eircom engineer with the same attitude recently, obviously brainwashed by management and the unions, but luckily they're in the minority. You see, the management and unions see it like this: If DSL comes about, that means they have to supply it to other operators (bitstream). If bitstream comes about, unbundled loop requests will be next; and if that comes about, it means non-Eircom engineers in the exchanges. That's the point of contention with them - they don't want anyone else in the exchanges, they see it as a threat to the jobs they represent. Which is rubbish of course, because the Eircom engineers will be poached good-oh from Eircom if LLU comes about. The conspiracy theorist will extend this further and suggest that the unions are "owned" by Eircom, but I think you all know I would never suggest something as terrible as that.
The suggestion that DSL won't take off is right to some extent, in that it's a technology that simply doesn't appeal to the majority of users. This is the mistake they made, and continue to make, in the US and the UK - they thought pretty much *everyone* would leap at DSL, but a fair portion of users simply don't need it. They also didn't cater properly for availability and the cost of making it available - they over-subsidised the product, thinking they were being clever by following the hugely successful mobile trend, which doesn't apply here.
The DSL market can and will work, but only if they don't try and get ahead of themselves like they did in the US and the UK. The DSL market is very defined, it's wanted and needed by a select subset of users who understand technology and want to use it to the max, even if it's only for leisure purposes. All Eircom and the OLO's have to do is target the right demographic, play fair, and not try and pull the wool over users eyes, like they did elsewhere. Unfortunately, the telecomms market is so backbiting and b1tchy it's unlikely that'll happen. They'll learn the hard way, and what's worse, we'll be the ones to suffer the most.
Telecommunications providers are the most widespread example of what's wrong with big business. They've been infighting for years. They're like children for the most part.
</RANT>
adam
[This message has been edited by dahamsta (edited 07-09-2001).]0 -
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">A very good summary.</font>
Thank you (both).<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I agree that it is a certain type of person that wants ADSL and I feel that to some extent the debate here has shifted away from reasonable priced universal flat rate access to ADSL.</font>
True, but it's bound to happen with the possible availability[1] of DSL looming, enticing users who are simply crying out for it. Yes, the focus has slipped a bit - more than a bit in fact - but it's forgiveable, and the resultant discussion is good, it's promoting excellent commentary and input.
Believe me, I certainly haven't lost sight of what I believe are more important goals for the general good, unmetered access for all and LLU, even more so because I live in Cork and the prospect of DSL is a damn sight further away for me. I guarantee that as soon as the current DSL situation settles down a bit we'll be right back to those topics.
I look forward to it. I need fresh ranting material.
adam
[1] Remember folks, we don't know what's happening[2] behind the scenes. For all we know, Eircom and the ODTR could still be spitting in each others faces.
[2] Which brings up another point - why don't we know? Eircom are perfectly entitled not to disclose information to the public about DSL pricing, but the ODTR has absolutely no excuse. They represent us, the public, and we should be kept in the know of what's going on[3]. It's called transparency. How hard would it have been to post here, where a large proportion of the people most concerned with the current situation gather, on Wednesday evening, or yesterday, or today, and explain why the wholesale pricing promised to the public on Wednesdsay hasn't been released. The ODTR should be particularly ashamed of themselves when you consider the complaints they made themselves about missed deadlines. Try to remember who you represent please Ms. Doyle. It's not Eircom, it's us. We pay your wages, and we can bloody well take them off you at the next general election. Believe me, I'll add it to the - extensive - list of complaints I have ready and waiting for when those TD's call to my door.
[3] With the obvious exception of details that are covered by fair non-disclosure agreements.[4]
[4] Hey, look, my addendums are getting bigger than my posts!!! 0 -
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