A Thought: DTI

[Peapod]

Is a complaint to the Department of Trade and Industry not an idea? Have we thought of this before?

 

[rsd]

I haven't heard that suggested before. I think every possible option is worth exploring.

 

[mbs]

Jurisdictional problems - Telkrap resort under the Department of Communications. Only way to get other departments involved is via inter-departmental cluster, direct public access to which is non-existent. Public access to parliamentary oversight committee hearings does indeed exist, and it is my understanding that the public can make representations/submissions to same via their parliamentary representative and/or the appointed/elected party official who represents the party on the committee...

 

[VQuest]

The DTI will only care about business' interests and not the consumer's interest.

You're probably right, but this IS affecting businesses. Maybe we should look into it just incase.

 

[LoneGunman]

Contacting the few heavy duty companies whose spokepeople have said something in support of ICASA, might be useful - as each Company = x numbers of rands. If the combined market value of those companies adds up significantly, then DTI might pay attention..? I mean we're talking Internet Solutions here, not some 'Frikkies Motor Parlour' operating from a home garage - there've been some very large companies who've expressed their support.
Perhaps their PR people might suggest helpful angles, or set up meetings with 'us' (ie: rpm) or even better, join up with the other heavy hitter companies to perhaps do a 'Concerned Business' meeting with MyAdsl and ICASA?
I think Telkom is hoping that the current lack of co-ordinated action, will continue - whereas some tactical steps to link up with the companies who've stated in Media that they're supportive of ICASA, might provide a very tough front for Telkom to fight against..

 

[scatlett]

DTI probably hates telkom just as much as we do. T

hey try and get investment into the country and then have to hang their heads in shame when they have to admit to the potential investor that "yes, 25% of your costs will be communincation costs."

 

[Peapod]

i think a well thought out advert in the Business Report (country wide disctribution) asking for big business to add their weight to the fray....My strategic juices are flowing....come on, lets think along the lines of seriously upping the ante here....

 

[kaspaas]

I'm amazed that "Big Business" does not complain in public about the high Telkom costs.

I guess that Telkom feathered their beds with secret discounts to prevent them from hiring legal eagles to stage upsets at ICASA.

I wish I knew how much more SMME's and consumers pay for telecoms services than the 10 biggest Telkom clients.

It won't suprise me if the consumer is milked to subsidise the "losses" made on the big clients.

 

[Peapod]

I'm amazed that "Big Business" does not complain in public about the high Telkom costs.

I guess that Telkom feathered their beds with secret discounts to prevent them from hiring legal eagles to stage upsets at ICASA.

I wish I knew how much more SMME's and consumers pay for telecoms services than the 10 biggest Telkom clients.

It won't suprise me if the consumer is milked to subsidise the "losses" made on the big clients.

I wish sometimes that i had magic eyes and I could fly into the accounting packages of these big firms and suss out whats what. All we need is one company to spill the beans..are there no big ones going into receivership where they really dont care who knows how telkom discounted them that we could get to dish the dirt?

 

[nrg_wp]

I know MANY small-medium sized business that rely on ADSL as it's internet/email solution. small-medium sized new businesses are what makes the country grow. THese are the people that would suffer most, next to the home user.

 

[Peapod]

I know MANY small-medium sized business that rely on ADSL as it's internet/email solution. small-medium sized new businesses are what makes the country grow. THese are the people that would suffer most, next to the home user.

lets start lobbying SMME's

 

[xanex]

I'm amazed that "Big Business" does not complain in public about the high Telkom costs.

theyre mostly past that point, my employer got sick and tired of telkoms management and went with an MPLS solution from a well know ISP rather. only money telkcruds getting is the end points. and we're not talking like a few datalines here.

 

[kingmonty]

Alternatively - rally up support and lodge a formal petition (signed on real paper - not an email chain letter). Also, make sure there are lots and lots of signatures. Then, contact your regional political office (ANC, DP, whoever) and speak to the regional representative directly - not the secretary, not the spokesperson, the representative. He or she, being petitioned to do so - and most likely having access to the premier, will then be obliged to raise the issue in parliament. Ivy tends to sleep in Parliament, so nobody there knows what the hell is going on (as she doesn't report back too often) - but - if there is a petitioned motion for a report back - then these issues may get raised. Hopefully our President is in session on the day as well.

If we can get enough signatures together and arrange a march to the Premiers office - maybe we're lucky enough to get TV coverage - the issue will then get raised in Parliament within that week.