As any ADSL subscriber knows, you cannot get an ADSL line in South Africa without also getting a land-line which adds an additional R130 to your ADSL bill. The CPA expressly forbids the forced bundling of services unless the bundling of such services will save the consumer money. There are three specific cases in which services can be bundled and right now the NCC is trying to determine whether Telkom meets any of the three criteria.
I have launched a complaint with the NCC. They have forwarded my complaint to Telkom and given them until September 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] to respond to my complaint below.
I urge everyone who feels like Telkom's voice service is being forced upon them to please copy the email below (the bit in dark grey). Change it so it applies to your situation and send it to the following email address: [email protected]
Also, if you can think of any other compelling arguments why Telkom should be forced to offer “naked” ADSL, please include them in your email. If Telkom is forced to unbundle ADSL from their voice service, not only would it save most of us R150 a month, but it will significantly lower the barrier to entry for ADSL.
The more people that write to the NCC, the more seriously they will take the matter.
Good Day
I am writing this email in order to lodge a complaint against Telkom who I believe may be contravening the new Consumer Protection Act.
I am an ADSL subscriber. However, in order for me to get an ADSL line from Telkom, or any other company, I have to take a voice line from Telkom for which the company then charges me a monthly fee of approximately R150 on top of the monthly rental that I pay for the ADSL line.
I do not want a voice line. I do not need a voice line. Forcing me to take a voice line and pay a monthly fee for it while also forcing me to pay for an ADSL line is disingenuous. It prevents me from cost-effectively utilising other voice alternatives such as VOIP as I would not be able to afford the extra expense.
It also prevents me from getting a standard voice service from other providers who may be able to give a cheaper service.
But above all, it removes my ability to choose a service provider for voice telephone calls as I already have to pay Telkom every month.
Kind Regards
[Your name]
I have launched a complaint with the NCC. They have forwarded my complaint to Telkom and given them until September 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] to respond to my complaint below.
I urge everyone who feels like Telkom's voice service is being forced upon them to please copy the email below (the bit in dark grey). Change it so it applies to your situation and send it to the following email address: [email protected]
Also, if you can think of any other compelling arguments why Telkom should be forced to offer “naked” ADSL, please include them in your email. If Telkom is forced to unbundle ADSL from their voice service, not only would it save most of us R150 a month, but it will significantly lower the barrier to entry for ADSL.
The more people that write to the NCC, the more seriously they will take the matter.
Good Day
I am writing this email in order to lodge a complaint against Telkom who I believe may be contravening the new Consumer Protection Act.
I am an ADSL subscriber. However, in order for me to get an ADSL line from Telkom, or any other company, I have to take a voice line from Telkom for which the company then charges me a monthly fee of approximately R150 on top of the monthly rental that I pay for the ADSL line.
I do not want a voice line. I do not need a voice line. Forcing me to take a voice line and pay a monthly fee for it while also forcing me to pay for an ADSL line is disingenuous. It prevents me from cost-effectively utilising other voice alternatives such as VOIP as I would not be able to afford the extra expense.
It also prevents me from getting a standard voice service from other providers who may be able to give a cheaper service.
But above all, it removes my ability to choose a service provider for voice telephone calls as I already have to pay Telkom every month.
Kind Regards
[Your name]
