Sponsor's Message

Here in Tokoroa, one of the local High Schools has even been closed for the day because of the weather.

Of course one group of workers who are unlikely to be affected by all this atmospheric biffo are teleworkers who, like myself, are probably sitting at their keyboards while safely ensconced in their own homes.

Given that the price of oil is going through the roof and every week seems to bring another "once in a hundred years" weather event, maybe it's time that smart companies took a good long look at how much they might gain from allowing their workers to telecommute for at least part of the week.

Was telecommuting just a fad of the 1990s or is it a really viable way to cut traffic volumes and operating costs while hiking productivity?

Orcon Says Don't Unbundle
When the government decided not to force Telecom to unbundle the local loop there was a fair amount of disappointment expressed by end-users and a number of second-tier telcos/ISPs.

Some ISPs however, have come out against the unbundling option and one of those has stated their reasons.

Now have your say Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what others think?  Visit The Forums While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark Hall of Shame and perhaps make your own nomination.

Orcon does a good job in outlining their objections to unbundling but I'm not sure I agree with all of them.

They claim, for instance, that "anyone that wanted to compete with Telecom would be forced to install expensive equipment in every telephone exchange", which is, in my opinion, a little naive.

As we all know, nature (and commerce) abhors a vacuum and rather than being a problem, this would certainly be considered an opportunity by some.

I would fully expect that in the event of unbundling, some enterprising company would fill the role that Telecom currently claims to be offers via its UBS service -- ie: the provision of a wholesale bitstream service.

Such a company could install gear in all those exchanges and then sell wholesale access to what would effectively become an alternative DSL data network.

Yes, there's always the risk that such a company would end up in bed with Telecom and part of a duopoly -- but there's still nothing to stop other players from installing their own gear to service more focused geographical areas, thus breaking such a duopoly.

If you look at Orcon's list of "features that should be included in UBS" you'll see that Telecom's current offering is a long way off the mark -- and to be quite honest, I think hell will freeze over before Telecom willingly makes such concessions.

The problem I see is that by coming out in opposition of unbundling, ISPs such as Orcon are effectively weakening their own bargaining position in respect to obtaining those concessions.

Telecom knows that with its local-loop/DSL monopoly protected by government, its the only game in town so it can play hard-ball when negotiating the "features" UBS offers. The story might be a little different however, if there was a *real* threat of unbundling hanging over their head.

Life Fast, Die Young, Handsome Corpse?
Here's an update on my own activities for those who might be interested.

Just when you thought I was mellowing with old age, I turn around and decide to launch an attempt on the NZ land speed record.

This project that has already attracted a lot of interest from around the globe with a producer of content for the Discovery Channel already planning to come out and do some filming in September.

I've even got the support and endorsement of the man behind the current land-speed record, Richard Noble -- and you can't get much better than that!

Right now I'm looking for sponsors to ante-up with a whole lot of stuff that's needed to complete the vehicle and prepare for the record attempt early next year.

If you know anyone or any company who can help out, let me know and I'll send them a sponsorship pack.

One thing's for sure: sponsors will get an awfully lot of value out of being involved and whether I succeed or not, the results will be spectacular to say the least.

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

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