Re: PalTel/ISP Draft Working Paper

["Sam Bahour" <sbahour@palnet.com>]

Dear all,

After an initial reading of the first written PALTEL Internet Strategy (2 yrs in
the working and still in draft form) I notice language such as:

1.  In one of Paltel's emails they state that "[their] 'Monopoly' is a fallacy",
then in their proposed strategy they state:

"Given PalTel’s current advantage as the sole supplier of backbone
communication services.."

Humm, that sure sounds like a monopoly position to me...a real one, not a
virtual or fallacy one.  For more on this aspect see attatched analysis from
16/9/2000, only a few weeks prior to Intifada.

2.  "All ISP’s must be licensed by ..."

- is this PALTEL's job to define?

3.  "...within a reasonable and specified period of time. PalTel’s target is a
year."

Self-imposed, firm-specifc targets are good, country sector development
targets are larger than any single monopoly operator's view of the world.

4.  "All ISP’s should not entertain..."

- Is it PALTEL that defines what other operators can and cannot do?

5.  "..ISP’s are not to provide, in any way shape or form, without the explicit
knowledge and consent of PalTel.."

- Humm, in the post Sept 28 2000 period is PALTEL now the regulator too?

6.  "...PalTel will have the right, and obligation, to target specific and/or all
ISP’s ..."

- to target??!!

I fully agree with Mr. Omar that we should met, as a sector, face to face to
clear the positions on the table.  With the current complete paralysis of the
PNA, and the historic deficiencies of the MOPT, maybe we can also discuss
using some of PALTEL's profits to build an independent communications
regulatory body as well, especially since competition is on the horizon (or
already on the ground).

Regards,
Sam


On 30 Jul 2001,, AbdelRahman Omar wrote:

> Ibrahim,
>
> Thank you for your correspondence and your kind words.
>
> I included your attached document as a refresher and a recap. Also to put
> this subject into context.
>
> I attached as per your request a Draft Working Paper outlining the framework
> that I discussed with a number of your colleagues.
>
> I believe we are all in synch and on the same page in terms of our common
> objectives and how to get there.
>
> There remains a few topics that require a dialogue, preferably face to face, to
> iron out the details of our common understandings and basis for cooperation.
> These include:
>
> - Mechanisms/Processes for tracking our programs, achievements and targets. -
> Agree on joint Public Awareness, Public Relations and Advertising Programs. -
> Incentives/Rewards for the better achievers. Call it Volume
> Discounts....etc...together I am sure we can be very creative.
>
> I look forward to the opportunity to having such a dialogue to finalize
> matters to our mutual, and the End User's, benefits.
>
> Ibrahim, please advise your colleagues about this correspondence and let's
> try to expedite events and get the ball rolling. There are many challenges
> and opportunities facing us all that are just waiting to be addressed.
>
> My best Regards,
>
> Abdel Rahman Omar
> PalTel EVP for Tech Affairs.
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> ____________ > -----Original Message----- > From: Ibrahim Barham
> [mailto:ibrahim_barham@safad.com] > Sent: 27/May/2001 01:56 PM > To:
> aromar@paltel.net > Cc: Maan Bseiso; wnajjab@mcs-palestine.com;
> mkhorma@paltel.net; > zahikhori@aol.com; Sbahour; Board; Tareq Maayah > Subject:
> PITA reply > > > Dear Mr. Abdel Rahman > > First of all, let me introduce
> myself. I am Ibrahim Barham, the chairman of > board of PITA, and I myself and
> all the board were so happy from the > feedback that we received from our ISP
> members about the ideas that you were > presenting to them. And to follow up
> what was discussed, here is attached > our reply to you depending on the
> strategy that was sent to Paltel two years > ago and I was informed that you
> received it already from our colleagues. > > We are looking forward to meet you
> so as to finalize this issue for the > benefit of all parties and our community.
> > > Best regards, > > Ibrahim Barham, PITA > Chairman > > > > > >
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