ICASA Complaint: Your feedback needed

[rpm]

Hi folks

As you know I am working on a formal MyADSL ICASA complaint regarding Telkom’s ADSL. Although this is simply a first draft, please have a look at it and give feedback on what you would like to see included and what you might see as unnecessary. Please take note that all the issues we would like to address must be very clear and we must be able to back it up with facts. I would like this document to be simple and clear in order to avoid any possible ambiguity. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

The complaint document can be downloaded from http://www.myadsl.co.za/ICASA.pdf

Regards,

RPM
rpm@myadsl.co.za

[caroper]

Hi Rpm,

Looks good but I think we also need to point out that the goal posts keep moving as well.

Initially the cap was upload or down load now it is combined, and the port shaping issue. Several non p2p apps that were working fine for the first several months of the service suddenly stopped functioning, with no explanation from Telkom. These apps still work fine on isdn or dialup. The implementation of a transparent Proxy for the benefit of Telkom (reduced bandwidth for them but still counted towards our cap) has also rendered several applications and web pages unavailable to the consumers. None of the above was mentioned when purchasing the product, and could have prevented some people from making an expensive purchasing mistake.

Is Telkom not in breach of the constitution by determining what, when where and how we are allowed to use ADSL whilst providing expensive ISDN service that is unrestricted?

Not too sure how to format it all but hopefully it is food for thought. Perhaps one of our lawyers or technical writers could tidy it up a bit.

Cheers
Chris

[ProAsm]

The costing in Appendix A seems a serious typo.
Monthly - 899.00
Installation - 404.00
Modem - 1499.98
Total - 12692.00 .......... wow, should that not read 2802.98
Price in US$ - $1732 ...... $390 approx with the above correction.

Or am I seeing it wrong ?

Ok - I see what it is now - think it needs clarifying and is not a Total but a Total annual subscription.

[neobyte]

Read the complaint. Very professional. You seem to have covered all the issues surrounding ADSL in SA.

Good Job.
[:D][:D][:D]

[CosmicLogick]

TELKOM RESPONDS TO ADSL COMPLAINTS
ADSL has become a major discussion point in the media, driven by a few customers who are dissatisfied with the service. Commenting on the criticism of the service Telkom's Steven White, Executive Product Development said that most of its nearly 10 000 customer base have no problems with ADSL and in fact experience the real value that ADSL brings, always available fast internet.
http://www.telkomsa.net/noticeboard.jsp

This is worrying... this means one of two things.

1. unlikely: that most adsl users are happy, and somehow don't make their opinions heard...through forums, chat, word of mouth, or any form of internet communication... this would be rather ironic.

2. likely: Telkom are making it look as if we are a minority so that they may easily brush us aside without fear of consequence... if this is true, what can we do?
I mean, if they make the complaint look as if it's "from a small minority of people who abuse the service and use it for purposes it was not intended for", will ICASA really even consider it?
Take into account the crappy service telkom has gotten away with so far... how did they get away with it?
How can we prove, beyond doubt that the majority is dissatisfied?



fugging cap...

[antowan]

Yep,

I spotted it to. I think you should convert all costs to Rands in order for it to make more sense to ICASA. Coupled with a date it should form a nice snapshot of pricing in time, which can then later be used to compare future price shifts both overseas and locally.

Cheers
Antowan

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ProAsm</i>
<br />The costing in Appendix A seems a serious typo.
Monthly - 899.00
Installation - 404.00
Modem - 1499.98
Total - 12692.00 .......... wow, should that not read 2802.98
Price in US$ - $1732 ...... $390 approx with the above correction.

Or am I seeing it wrong ?

Ok - I see what it is now - think it needs clarifying and is not a Total but a Total annual subscription.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

He who does not understand the value of war at the right time, cannot comprehend the value of life at any time - Anonymous

[MaD]

Yeh, nice one RPM.. you bring the issues across well.

<u>________________________________________________</u>
Just imagine where SA would be now if it weren't for Telkom

[Strobemeister]

Well written rpm, the main points are well-covered.

Telkom - South Africa's Handbrake to progress.

[BTTB]

Nice work RPM. We stand behind you.
If you need anything, you can call on me.

I think Caroper made some valid comments that should be included in the report.

And at the end or the beginning you should enter MyADSL's vision for what we would like ADSL in South Africa to become. Point out Nepad and Mbekis vision for Africa and how 24/7 connectivity will benefit all on this continent. Try perhaps reflect towards what South Korea has achieved. And every school in South Africa and SADEC should have cheap ADSL connections before the end of 2005. A task that is highly possible in South Africa.
Something along these lines perhaps. :)

<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">

[Karnaugh]

Hmm.. I'd check the grammar (I'll leave it at that seeing as it's a first draft :P My first drafts are generally illegible even though it's typed.

I think it would be more effective to change the tone of the entire argument to cover Telkom services in general as it is not just ADSL, although ADSL stems (and amplifies) how Telkom are making a mess of the telecommunications industry with the powerful position in which they are placed by the ICASA.

It is not just ADSL users, the rest of IT suffers due to the poor availability of services and the poor service that ADSL delivers is simply a more obvious consequence of Telkom's monopoly.

<hr noshade size="1">
"Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak."

NetLink Research

[Karnaugh]

Like ProAsm as well that Comparitive costs is a mess. You can barely get 512 overseas anymore, its more like 2mb ADSL for $30 in US same with UK. I'd jack it up too. There are thousands of providers overseas, use them all [;)] more effective.

Also, make a note of the other bills and letters submitted. They have ridiculously conclusive list of definitions. You should define *every* ‘tech’ term at the head of the document.

Maybe also start off explaining the current situation, make suggestions on how it should be improved.

Anyhow, I'd give it a bit more time anyways - dont rush it.

<hr noshade size="1">
"Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak."

NetLink Research

[VQuest]

At this stage I don't have too much to add, but I do thank you for the initiative and I really look forward to the outcome. Thanks RPM.


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United we stand!
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[rpm]

Hi folks

I made the suggested alterations to the document over the past few days, fixed some of the grammatical errors and faxed it to ICASA (both the Chairman’s office and the legal department). This document is indeed far from perfect, but I feel that it addresses most of our concerns. Reception of the document has been confirmed (after two phonecalls from me!) by both departments, and according to ICASA’s legal department we will receive some feedback by Monday. Mr. Langa’s (ICASA Chairman) office also promised a timely response. I will give you feedback as soon as I receive any information regarding this issue.

Regards,

RPM
rpm@myadsl.co.za

[BTTB]

Is the link pointing to the amended or the old document?

<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">

[rpm]

Hi BTTB

I will upload the amended document later today…

Regards,

RPM
rpm@myadsl.co.za

[BTTB]

Thank you RPM. We are all grateful for your efforts.

<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">

[murmom]

Thanks RPM maybe they will take notice. At least someone is making an effort.