Paltel and ISPs

[Ahmed Abumarzouq <ahmed@p-i-s.com>]

Dear All,

        

 As you
all know Paltel entry into the ISPs market is a reality now, it is our
only chance now to strike a deal with Paltel that will regulate this
industry and help all of us grow and prosper. With the help of PITA all
of us need to come up with a unified position that will help us plan for
the future, I was delegated by PITA board to come up with a concept paper
that can be used as a middle point between ISPs represented by PITA and
Paltel. Let's work on this issue together and come up with this documents
in two days. If you know any ISP wether it is a PITA member or not please
let me know so we can include it in the discussion. As you probably
know  PITA has submitted a formal document to Paltel, here it
is
"Draft Strategy

for Paltel’s Involvement
in the Palestinian Internet Market

Presented by PITA
(as requested by PALTEL Advisor to the Board of Directors Abdel Rahman Omar on 3/5/01)

Based upon the following assumptions:

1.      

PALTEL
and PITA are both interested in significantly increasing the number of
Internet subscribers throughout Palestine.

2.      

PALTEL
and PITA are both seeking the advancement of the information technology
sector via introduction of new and modern services.

3.      

PALTEL
is fully aware of existing and licensed Palestinian Internet Service
Providers and has no intention of introducing services that would
negatively affect these Providers existence and/or livelihood.

4.      

PITA,
representing private sector information technology companies is, as part
of its charter, bound to act with the appropriate entities and
authorities to prevent unfair competition in the sector and is dedicated
to pursue the legitimate rights of its members.

5.      

As
prevalent in telecom sectors worldwide, PITA feels an obligation to raise
the awareness and secure a clear separation between the monopoly provider
and other service providers, whom are dependent on its services.
Therefore, PITA recommends that PALTEL adopt the following 
strategy:

1.      

Given
PALTELs’ current monopoly advantage as the supplier of backbone
communication services, and understanding that any attempt to be a
supplier of Internet Service to subscribers while at the same time
providing backbone service to the existing ISPs, will create unfair
competition within the market. Therefore, PALTEL should refrain from
becoming an end-user supplier for Internet Services.

2.      

This
policy should be unambiguously made public in order for existing and
future Internet Service Providers to be able to invest in their
businesses with a clear sense of investment security.

3.      

PALTEL
should focus and facilitate on providing the required backbone
infrastructure to the Internet Service Providers in order for them to
build and grow their businesses.

4.      

PALTEL
should reduce, as much as possible, the cost of communication services to
ISP’s, and ISP subscribers, in order to guarantee the largest and fastest
market penetration possible.

5.      

PALTEL
should do its at most to improve its technical staff and services to be
able to provide the same technical support that ISPs are getting from
other providers. "

And Paltel reply to this document was as follows
 
"As discussed, Paltel's objectives/requirements are, briefly, as
follows:

1- Internet Penetration in Palestine to reach 10% in the very near
future
(i.e. in excess of 30K subscribers).
2- Paltel Infrastructure to be used exclusively. Including using Paltel
as the
Int'l Gateways for ANY ISP services.
3-ISP's do not compete in PalTels Licensed services which includes but
not
limited to Reselling our services in any way shape or form, particularly
IP
Telephony in General."

Now this is the first written reply from Paltel which is in my personal
opinion is a good move in the right direction let not lose the momentum
and move forward ASAP. I need your input please, put as many points as
you like. Thanks

Best Regards
Ahmed Abumarzouq, CPA
President & CEO
Palestinian Internet Services
WWW.P-I-S.COM
Tel: +(970) 8 2843197
Fax: +(970) 8 2843377
Some countries are still using the Israeli Code 972