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Mobitel
Starts Controversial Internet Link
Mobitel,
Cambodia's leading telecommunications company, has launched a wireless
Internet access service, joining the market dominated by Telstra's BigPond
and the state-run CamNet.
TeleSur,
launched last Thursday, is a wireless broadband network that connects
users to the Internet without a telephone hookup or a modem.
The
network could provide around-the-clock Internet access that is cheaper and
more reliable than services available now, said David Spriggs, Mobitels
general manager.
While
Internet users may welcome the high speed access-potentially more than 20
times faster than a phone connection competitors say Mobitel is violating
telecommunications regulations by launching the service without a
specialized license.
"If
they provide an Internet access, they certainly need to get a license
[from the Telecommunications Ministry] for it" said Paul Blanche-Horgan,
country director of the Australian-based Telstra.
In
addition, he said, Mobitel's TeleSurf appears to violate Telstra's 1997
contract with the Telecommunications Ministry, which designates BigPond as
the
sole private Internet service provider until February 2002.
Both BigPond and CamNet began offering Internet services in 1997.
"We
have a license that gives us an exclusive right to operate Internet
services, along with CamNet," Blanche-Horgan.
"I'm very surprised to see [Mobitel's newservice.1"
Spriggs
said Mobitel doesn't need a license as an Internet service provider
because TeleSurf only offers Internet access.
"We
just provide a connection," he said, adding that Mobitel's CamGS
frequency license for mobile phone services covers the wireless
connection.
A
senior Telecommunications Ministry official said the ministry has not
issued an Internet service license to Mobitel, although negotiations have
been going on for some time.
"They
need to get a license to provide Internet services," said the
official, who requested anonymity.
But "if it's providing only links to the Internet it's not
violating the regulations."
Telecommunications
experts say the licensing issue is "arguable." Bill Herod of
Khmer Internet Development Services said TeleSurf is not a full
Internet service provider because it doesn't offer Web-hosting
services, including e-mail. He said a licensed Internet provider, such as
BigPond or CamNet, usually has its own Web server, which stores data of
Web sites, and its own e-mail services.
"It's
a very thin distinction, Herod said.
TeleSurf provides two-way data transmission at speeds of up to 1
megabyte per second, about 20 times faster than a modem.
Using an antenna attached to the roof data is transmitted from a
computer to a base station in Phnom Penh.
The system can be plugged into a personal computer as well as
office computer
networks, he added.
Prices
for the Internet access vary from $70 to $3,100 per month depending on
speeds and volume.
The $70 package allows users to transmit up to 100 megabytes of
data a month-about 2,000 e-mails with speeds of 64 kilobytes per second,
twice as fast as most phone connections, Spriggs said.
One megabyte equals 1,000 kilobytes.
By
comparison, he said, CamNet's around-the-clock Internet connection, which
offers a 64 kilobyte-per-second connection, costs $1,500 per month.
For regular Internet connections, both BigPond and CamNet charge
between $3 and $4 per hour online.
Herod said TeleSurf will provide
Cambodians with cheaper, easier Internet connections.
"It's
a very welcome additions," he said, adding that the new service could
drive down prices in Internet cafes.
Although
the wireless connection is available on Phnom Penh, there are plans to
expand service to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville by the end of April
By
Yuko Maeda, Cambodia Daily 05-March-2001
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