Re: Paltel and ISPs

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

Sam,

        

I agree
with you that we are addressing the wrong entity and Paltel entry into
the market is legitimate, but let's look at it this way:

• MOPT is refusing to even talk with us ( ISPs and PITA) and in the same time has already granted Paltel the license to enter into the market.
• Paltel is creating a de facto status on the ground, up to 60 corporate accounts in less than three months, at this rate we will close shops very soon.
• We are unable to change things on the ground

With this in mind my thinking was, why don't we strike a deal that
will eventually benefit ISPs, consumers and of course Paltel. Now let us
look at Paltel conditions:

• not to sell VOIP, we have already done so by signing on the Leased Line contract and the Internet connection contract.
• To increase the penetration rate in Palestine, we all love to do so and this is only doable with Paltel cooperation by reducing infrastructure cost - do not count on MOPT to enforce Paltel.
• To use Paltel infrastructure exclusively, for me I don't see a problem once Paltel support level and redundancy get at least close to its Israeli counterparts, so this could be done gradually 

At 07:12 ã 20/05/01, Sam Bahour wrote:
> Ahmed,
>
> I am still reading this material, but let's get our terminology
> right.  Deal 
> striking with PALTEL to create regulation not only does not work but is
> addressing the wrong entity.  Also, I did not know that we
> "all" took for 
> granted that PALTEL's entry into the ISP market is legitimate.
>
> Salaam,
> Sam
>
> On 20 May 2001,, Ahmed Abumarzouq wrote:
>
> > 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
> >

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