Consumer War?

Johand

Johand

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There is no question about the fact that Telkom is hampering economic growth with its monopolistic exploitation of South Africans. I do think the time will arrive soon where we will be able to fight back.

During the course of the year number portability comes into effect. A campaign should be launched to get users to switch from Telkom lines as well as Vodacom lines we might have an impact on Telkom's bottom line. I do think that targeting cellphone users is a better option than landlines, but it is possible to do both.

The first step would be to start a foundation of sorts. Next is to get the trade unions to support the foundation. Telkom is not loved by them.

Next would be some fund raising. Should there be a mass drive to get Vodacom prepaid customers to switch. The idea would be to give them new SIM cards from another network as well as airtime in exchange for their Vodacom SIM cards. It would only work if MTN and Cell C could somehow sponsor airtime and SIM cards - which I think they would be willing to do (You can get SIM cards from R1.99, airtime is more tricky). The funds would be needed for distribution and a nominal fee for the airtime (which can be subsidized but not given away).

Finally, a bunch of volunteers is needed to actually go swop SIM cards.

I also think a single full page ad in a major news paper would at least get people talking.

Telkom only believes in the bottom line, so it makes sense that a project is launched to punch them there...
 
Nice idea ... (the cellphone one) but the main problem ATM is not the cellphone companies, mind you of they have some sort of price war then we might find that Telkom and the SNO decide to do the same ... :)
 
The cellphone tower comms is still trough telkom lines.
And telkom will stil get paid.
 
JazzeD said:
The cellphone tower comms is still trough telkom lines.
And telkom will stil get paid.
Click to expand...

But not as much. I like it.But even without a large scale coordinated effort like you propose, we can all do our bit by convincing family and friends who are less informed than ourselves, to make the switch.

The minute number portability happens, im switching from Vodacom. The only reason I am stillwith them is my long standing number.

Slowly the options are opening up....
 
Well, I beat you too it, I originally went to MTN, just because it wasn't affiliated with Telkom ;) That was 6 years ago . . .

The problem with 'switching' from Telkom is that, as I understand it, it's cellphone numbers only. So stick it to Vodacom, the lying, misleading b@st@rds! ;)
 
Feedback on Comments

1) Telkom owns 50% of Vodacom's shares. A significant portion of their income comes from Vodacom. That is why they can make more money with less subscribers.
2) At the moment MTN and CellC utilizes Telkom infrastructure. However, the law changed Feb 2005, and they can self provide. This is why MTN is going to build a national fiber optic network to their regional centres. Look at some of ads in business newspapers in Nov/Dec 2005. They had started an initial pre-tender process.
3) The profit margin for a direct cellphone user is much higher than for one on a competitors network.
4) You should be able to switch telkom numbers as well (Although I don't know when THAT will kick in).
5) It is a good idea to keep in mind that Vodacom = Telkom for all intents and purposes - even if the correct equation is 1/2 Vodacom = Telkom.
 
the only way to kill the beast is to take down both Vodacom & Telkom together. I'm not too worried about loosing my phone number. once my contract expires, i'm likely to join MTN just because Telkom & Vodacom and now WBS are affiliated!
 
WBS are not affiliated. Brothers are allowed to work for different companies without those companies being automatically "affiliated". Do Telkom/Vodacom owns a piece of WBS? Or vice-versa?
 
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