ICASA rejects both SNO bids

[dojob]

ICASA has rejected both bids for the SNO operater. Looks like we gonna be stuck with Telkom for a while.

Check the link out
http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2003/0308281435.asp

Someone call the scorpions to investigate ICASA and Telkom. I gotta feelin they working hand in hand. ICASA took so long to approve ADSL modems. Telkom were the only people who had approved modems for over 10 months or so!

[Chubs]

I CANT BELEIVE THIS!!!!

<i>"In a media briefing in Sandton a short while ago, ICASA said the bids submitted by both contenders, Two Consortium and CommuniTel, failed to meet the bid criteria and funding requirements."</i>

This, after Barclays said they would be underwriting Commmunitel's bid. [:(!]

[Nickste]

Lo all

I am honestly speechless.
I can't believe it.

Chow, Nick

*Nickste tries not to break something

Nick Smit
adsl@nicksmit.za.net

[ASF]

I suppose I am like a number of people who were eagerly awaiting the ICASA reccomendation today @ 2 PM. I must say that I WAS surprised when they failed to put forward at least one of the bid's, especially in the light after Barclay's announced their support for one of the bidders yesterday. I actually thought to my self - well THAT HAS to force the issue.

On hearing the news I was so taken aback that all I could do was sarcastically congratulate all the parties on a job well done.

However I have now had time to think about it (in fact I cannot get the issue out of my mind). Right now I am VERY VERY disappointed. Despondent, even like we have been dealt a mortal blow.

But lets look at the issue from 10 000 feet:

* Next disapprove of both bids - Well I think it is high time that the Next / ICASA / Telkom relationship be scrutinised. I am not making a slanderous allegation here. Merely suggesting that the relationship between the parties should be assesed. If everything is above board they have nothing to fear. If however there are irregulaties the Scorpions should be called in.
* ICASA agree with Next - Are ICASA a group of people incapable of making their OWN decisions? Why was Next contracted in the 1st place? One would think that the REGULATOR knows enough about the industry to be able to evaluate the bids themselves. If they dont have the skills why are these specific individuals entrusted with such an important function?
* How much was Next paid? Not only this time round - the last time too.
* Is this not just a scenario to allow Transtel & Eskom to fund the SNO themselves (they have stated they have the financial abilty)?
* Why did we get a heavy handed (do it our way or else) response from Mr White THE DAY BEFORE the announcement? Did he know the result ahead of the rest of us?
* Will CommuniTel institute legal action? I certainly hope so.
* Will the Minister overrulle ICASA and award the license anyway? Probaly not. But she's out of office soon anyway.
* When are we (ALL parties - CUASA, the public, ISPA, SAVA and others) going to address this issue as a combined front?

So many questions....

Dont get me wrong - I am no guru on the issue by any means, just a frustrated user of telco services. It's amazing how much information one can gather with a little digging... [;)]

But know this:
* Of all the nations in the world we South Africans understand the meaning of vasbyt!
* This time too shall pass.
* A friend of mine once said "things tend to sort themselves out for the better in the long run." - lets hope so in this case.
* If you bend even the thinnest of reeds enough it will eventually break!
* We are NOT going to give in OR go away (well not me anyway).
* As a country we have commited to a policy of deregulation.
* Elections are coming.
* The public is getting more and more informed on this issue and we are NOT stupid.
* Telkom WILL eventually get what is coming to them - even if most of us want it sooner than later. The monopoly CANNOT last forever.
* When a competitor does eventually enter the market I for one will switch my provider as a matter of principle (and influence AS MANY OTHERS as I can).
* EVERY day we become a louder voice - membership is up on a dialy basis.
* WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - even though it may not seem so right now!
* It's time to formulate an action plan...

The next few days are certainly going to be interesting if nothing else!

If anyone has any sugesstions as to formalising some sort of action plan please post it in the deregulation forum. I am quite happy to donate time & effort to the cause. Many hands make light work or so the saying goes...

[VQuest]

Oh man, this is unbelievable!


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United we stand!
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[bullstein]

Hey ASF lol you make this sound like one of our gazillion dollar corrupt weapons scandals. And maybe you are not far off the mark. The whole way in which Telom has been handling this issue stinks from beginning to end. It can only mean that they had knowledge in advance of the outcome of these bids.

Don't worry, what we are doing now will mean a lot for our country in the long run. People are going to thank us for this in the future.

Maybe we can start designing the monument so long ... lol

These silly politics make one really negative.

[zookeeper]

[:(]

[kobie]

Hey its not so bad...if casaburri rejects the bid (its actually her choice not ICASA's) then we only have to wait till mid 2005 for the next bid to take place. With telkom providing their friendly quality service the time should fly by....yeah right[:(!]