Focus on the Northern Cape Province where huge areas that used to rely on Telkom telephone service via copper are losing service as Telkom withdraw from service provision.
Historically South Africa was served by a vast copper network that provided an often shared (party line) telephone service. Many rural areas were clearly `loss leaders' in that the income was far less than the cost of service provision. Like access to water and electricity that remain key drivers of a viable community, so telephone (and Fax) connected the country in what is arguably an essential service..
Rampant theft of copper wire has understandably led Telkom to withdraw service provision leaving communities without an alternative.
Examination of the coverage maps for South Africa, and in particular the Western side of the Northern Cape Province, you find that in the mountainous areas in the vicinity of Kamieskroon for instance - there is no coverage, so celluar telephone service is not available so there is no voice or data service.
This is an example of the fact that Telkom is trapped in a cash flow bind and a crime outcome that results in a growing populace that is unable to access key support services, commercial and other activity.
Government roll-out of IT infrastructure to schools will not be possible in many rural areas!
Surely this is an example of where Central Government require to take a policy decision to ensure that an affordable Comms service MUST be made available using a special budget allocation?
In many part of the country, Telkom poles are still in place and it is possible to string Fibre lines.
Satellite coverage is fairly good but the cost of satellite phones is unaffordable for the masses of poor people. Possibly this service should be subsidised where no alternative is available!
Historically South Africa was served by a vast copper network that provided an often shared (party line) telephone service. Many rural areas were clearly `loss leaders' in that the income was far less than the cost of service provision. Like access to water and electricity that remain key drivers of a viable community, so telephone (and Fax) connected the country in what is arguably an essential service..
Rampant theft of copper wire has understandably led Telkom to withdraw service provision leaving communities without an alternative.
Examination of the coverage maps for South Africa, and in particular the Western side of the Northern Cape Province, you find that in the mountainous areas in the vicinity of Kamieskroon for instance - there is no coverage, so celluar telephone service is not available so there is no voice or data service.
This is an example of the fact that Telkom is trapped in a cash flow bind and a crime outcome that results in a growing populace that is unable to access key support services, commercial and other activity.
Government roll-out of IT infrastructure to schools will not be possible in many rural areas!
Surely this is an example of where Central Government require to take a policy decision to ensure that an affordable Comms service MUST be made available using a special budget allocation?
In many part of the country, Telkom poles are still in place and it is possible to string Fibre lines.
Satellite coverage is fairly good but the cost of satellite phones is unaffordable for the masses of poor people. Possibly this service should be subsidised where no alternative is available!
