15 million can't afford basic telecoms in SA

[Peter7]

http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2006/0603311039.asp?A=SCR&S=Social Responsibility&O=FPIN

[Johannesburg, 31 March 2006] - A study by the Universal Services Agency (USA) to categorise needy persons found a “basket of basic telecoms services” would cost a user R800 to R1 500 per month, says Dr Sam Gulube, CEO of the USA.

Using the living standards measure (LSM), Gulube says a user would have to fall into LSM 5 (average household income of R2 548.87 per month) to afford the basket. Fifteen million South Africans are categorised as LSM 4 and below, which means they cannot afford the basic basket of services, he says.

The study has shown the challenge to provide telecoms services to needy people is huge, Gulube says. Government will therefore have to determine where to initially focus its efforts, he adds.

Suprise suprise

How can poor people even dream about a phone line. The costs are even ridiculous for the middle to high income classes.

Didn't we know this like years ago! Is the whole country just waking up now?

The results of the USA study will form part of the discussions at the Convergence Broadcast and Telecommunications Summit from 6 to 8 June, organised by ForgeAhead.

Oh crap, more debates about the problem!!! Just what we don't need! (Agg pleaze maan - where's the crying icon)

 

[kilo39]

Pitiful state of the nation. Let's talk about a meeting to talk about it with another meeting to talk about it, ad-infinitum.

Now we know how we ended up where we are 12 years later.

 

[LethalChicken]

I might not be exactly on the poor end of the scale, but hell, I pay more monthly for my internet costs then for my RunX.

 

[antowan]

I might not be exactly on the poor end of the scale, but hell, I pay more monthly for my internet costs then for my RunX.

Agreed. We pay monthly on communications what we would pay for a car. And then we don't even get a 10th of the communications ability that peeps overseas get where communications services are subjected to true competition...

 

[Mudshark]

More big and breaking news: "SUN COMES UP IN TH EAST THIS MORNING"

 

[Moederloos]

What is shocking, is that a landline - traditionally "old" technology and therefore cheaper - is so expensive, while a cell phone - new technology and therefore more expensive - is actually cheaper. My domestics 10 year old son has a cell phone, and she does not even have a landline at home ( or evan a home )