Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:38 pm
Truth is the vast majority of the customers only want WEB and e-mail, and yes it isn't just Skype, it is all the others you mentioned and then some.
Satellite backhaul, and
We block all outgoing ports exept, SMTP, https, PoP3, ftp and http is via proxy. Skype we limmit by only allowing 30 second burst on port 443, and we block the web site and authentication servers, so it is almost dead anyway.
The business plan isn't failing, and I prefer the word inexpensive to cheap :-)
We did provide adaquate bandwidth in our budget for the intended applications, we make it quite clear that the service is only for web & e-mail and customers are happy with that. Problem is Skype (and all p2p) can cause havoc in such a network. It just takes one or two irisponsible users to spoil an otherwise valuble service for everyone. Just because we may be the only play provider in town, we still want to provide a fast, stable service to our customers.
Wifi backhaul just isn't an option, in many locations, even if you manage to span the 100's of km you will still have to pay for expensive bandwidth from the local telco.... try getting a connection in Niger or Mali for less than a few $1000 per Mbps per month, somtimes that still arrives via satellite anyway. Then there is interferance, Licencing issues (using wifi with 10's of dB gain just ins't permitted in may countries and the authorities will shut you down. Think about the installation work, you cant just get AC power up a mountain top in Agadez, sola power or generators requiered. And these people will steal your kit... well they have to eat don't they!
Facts are.
Wifi Backhaul isn't an option in many location
Satellite is the only option.
Satellite capacity is too expensive for everything except. WEB,e-mai,Messanger.
So to provide these services you need to Block all other applications: P2P, VoIP etc.
So thats get back on topic, accept it has to be done and find some creative was to to it.