Alan Levy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Satellites are best used for large bandwidth applications, such as for > backbones. The type of configuration needed for a local-loop, for local > individual access, is best provided by local-loops (less bandwidth, less > cost needed). There is more than a sufficient quantity of backbones > already being developed... if only there were local-loops to connect > them. It is a money issue... you should not use expensive technology > when less expensive technology is available, unless your franchise is > protected, supported, by government. The taxpayers in the USA can > afford this. In fact, the whole question of satellite is but an attempt > to find a method to circumvent the high costs artifically imposed by > government favoritism. Plain and simple fact.
An interesting response Alan. What may be a 'plain and simple fact' in your country (and I certainly concede your expertise on your local market) is far from factual when applied globally - there are many variances in Government policy and the competitive models in use by the various technology providers. Satellite in Australia is not being touted as a means of circumventing artificially imposed backbone costs... it is a genuine attempt to bridge 'last mile' connectivity for the very local-loops you identify as being so critical. Backbone (when provided without Government policy restrictions) is significantly cheaper when provided by technologies other than satellite... in some applications. Too often we forget the impact of demographics and topography in these discussions... Land-line or wifi local loops may be ideal in closely-packed dense communities where demand justifies a narrow range of coverage... however these technologies are largely useless in a country like Australia where remote Koori (Aboriginal) communities and rural homesteads are often tens or hundreds of kilometres apart. The cost of land-line is prohibitive, and wifi technologies are lucky if they are able to support one or two families per access point simply due to the distances involved. I think to add balance we really need to look at all the applications of these technologies. Some are better than others, however this solely depends on the application. Rgds, Don ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
