dikbek
02-04-2004, 11:43 AM
High Telkom call rates take the edge off SA firms'
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Public Policy Correspondent
TELKOM's sky-high international call rates the highest of 14 major economies, according to a new survey hold back South African companies in the global arena.
According to NUS Consulting MD George Rahr, whose firm conducted the survey on Telkom's global ratings, Telkom's rates are 63% higher than the next most expensive country, Finland.
This, says Rahr, "severely hamper South African organisations in their efforts to compete in the world's markets".
Telkom's high rates are likely to put off potential clients, and work to the advantage of the proposed second national operator.
The survey also shows that national calls cost the highest, having moved from the third to first place (past the US and Australia) in the past 12 months.
"However, the most noteworthy trend is the fact that the cost of South African local calls escalated from fifth to second highest, with only Belgium remaining more expensive," says Rahr.
Telkom's high charges will further alienate its "captive" customers, Rahr says. "This will work to Telkom's disadvantage, especially if the (long-awaited second network operator) is successful in exploiting the feeling of anger and frustration that business harbours towards Telkom," he said. Business and government contributed 71% of Telkom's revenue last year.
Telkom has dismissed NUS Consulting's findings, saying its call rates were among the most affordable in the world.
Telkom said latest research from London-based telecoms consultancy firm Tarifica showed that its international rates remained low despite a lack of competition in the local market.
Tarifica says Telkom's rates are the lowest compared with its peers in the Middle East and rest of Africa.
Telkom's chief sales and marketing officer, Nombulelo Moholi, says: "Tarifica's latest research shows that Telkom's call charges are internationally competitive and that there is no substance to NUS Consulting's contention that Telkom's call charges are hampering the competitiveness of organisations."
Mar 29 2004 07:31:12:000AM Khulu Phasiwe Business Day 1st Edition
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Public Policy Correspondent
TELKOM's sky-high international call rates the highest of 14 major economies, according to a new survey hold back South African companies in the global arena.
According to NUS Consulting MD George Rahr, whose firm conducted the survey on Telkom's global ratings, Telkom's rates are 63% higher than the next most expensive country, Finland.
This, says Rahr, "severely hamper South African organisations in their efforts to compete in the world's markets".
Telkom's high rates are likely to put off potential clients, and work to the advantage of the proposed second national operator.
The survey also shows that national calls cost the highest, having moved from the third to first place (past the US and Australia) in the past 12 months.
"However, the most noteworthy trend is the fact that the cost of South African local calls escalated from fifth to second highest, with only Belgium remaining more expensive," says Rahr.
Telkom's high charges will further alienate its "captive" customers, Rahr says. "This will work to Telkom's disadvantage, especially if the (long-awaited second network operator) is successful in exploiting the feeling of anger and frustration that business harbours towards Telkom," he said. Business and government contributed 71% of Telkom's revenue last year.
Telkom has dismissed NUS Consulting's findings, saying its call rates were among the most affordable in the world.
Telkom said latest research from London-based telecoms consultancy firm Tarifica showed that its international rates remained low despite a lack of competition in the local market.
Tarifica says Telkom's rates are the lowest compared with its peers in the Middle East and rest of Africa.
Telkom's chief sales and marketing officer, Nombulelo Moholi, says: "Tarifica's latest research shows that Telkom's call charges are internationally competitive and that there is no substance to NUS Consulting's contention that Telkom's call charges are hampering the competitiveness of organisations."
Mar 29 2004 07:31:12:000AM Khulu Phasiwe Business Day 1st Edition