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caroper
Executive Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
- Messages
- 8,163
Speak up, we cannot hear you
The second network operator – touted by some as a credible rival to Telkom's current monopoly on telecoms – is expected to be ready to roll in about seven months' time. Hey, what's seven more months when the process has already been delayed by more than three years?
This time I am not going to be running around in a party hat, cheering and throwing confetti. To paraphrase the sarcasm of a certain Disney character: forgive me for not jumping for joy; bad back, you know.
I am no longer convinced that the second network operator (SNO) will do anything to make the telecoms environment more competitive in South Africa, nor will they bring any better, cheaper or broader access to facilities such as broadband and landline roll-outs.
The SNO is widely expected to tackle the business market first as other providers already have a footprint there. But the operator will lack infrastructure in residential areas – and therein lies the rub.
It is unlikely that Telkom will allow access to residential infrastructure without dragging their feet, meaning that once again, the average South African citizen will simply have to pay for what they get, instead of getting what they pay for.
For the SNO, as for Telkom, the big bucks lie in big business. Companies will get more – but not necessarily improved – choice in telecoms, while residential customers will get the finger.
The second network operator – touted by some as a credible rival to Telkom's current monopoly on telecoms – is expected to be ready to roll in about seven months' time. Hey, what's seven more months when the process has already been delayed by more than three years?
This time I am not going to be running around in a party hat, cheering and throwing confetti. To paraphrase the sarcasm of a certain Disney character: forgive me for not jumping for joy; bad back, you know.
I am no longer convinced that the second network operator (SNO) will do anything to make the telecoms environment more competitive in South Africa, nor will they bring any better, cheaper or broader access to facilities such as broadband and landline roll-outs.
The SNO is widely expected to tackle the business market first as other providers already have a footprint there. But the operator will lack infrastructure in residential areas – and therein lies the rub.
It is unlikely that Telkom will allow access to residential infrastructure without dragging their feet, meaning that once again, the average South African citizen will simply have to pay for what they get, instead of getting what they pay for.
For the SNO, as for Telkom, the big bucks lie in big business. Companies will get more – but not necessarily improved – choice in telecoms, while residential customers will get the finger.
