Don't blame Vodacom and MTN for Government's failures

[Bradley Prior]

Don't blame Vodacom and MTN for Government's failures

The Competition Commission has published a final report on its Data Service Market Inquiry, which aims to force Vodacom and MTN to give away free data to consumers.

The Commission also wants to force the two largest mobile operators to cut their mobile data prices by 30% to 50%.

 

[Kaysway]

It’s almost 2020 and our people are still paying 150 for a gig. If you don’t think there’s a problem there, then you are part of the problem.

 

[NightShift]

Is the staff writer completely deluded? The cartel-like approach to MTN and Vodacom maintaining some of the highest data prices in the world necessitate an intervention like this. Cry me a river while I enjoy cheaper data, thanks.

 

[NoNameBrand]

It’s almost 2020 and our people are still paying 150 for a gig. If you don’t think there’s a problem there, then you are part of the problem.

Who not just move to Cell C or Telkom?

 

[Gazg]

Well.......I didnt hear you blokes complaining much until now.

 

[grok]

It's the termination rates thing all over again, but yes the article is correct the only thing the ANC is really good at is steal taxpayer money.

 

[joker08]

this "If the government and the Competition Commission are serious about driving down the price of data, the way forward is simple – hand out spectrum, make it easier to roll out networks, and ensure a competitive market. "

 

[Cavette]

Competition Commission =10, My Broadband =0. Exploitation of subscribers is really OK? Do you really believe yourself? Shame on you.

 

[We Love Bass]

I'm heading to go a Gucci store to tell them their sneakers are too expensive they must reduce price

 

[JimM]

The economy works really well when you don't extort payment for almost valueless data!!

 

[Prof.Merlin]

People say you pay more on Vodacom and MTN for the premium network and better quality. Yet currently every link I click on, on the vodacom.co.za website gives me a 404.

 

[Stevewarren]

Is the staff writer completely deluded? The cartel-like approach to MTN and Vodacom maintaining some of the highest data prices in the world necessitate an intervention like this. Cry me a river while I enjoy cheaper data, thanks.

Well maybe just maybe they charge so much because our useless corrupt government hasn't provided spectrum for over a decade.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

 

[AstroTurf]

Yup, Spectrum is needed urgently, perhaps they can give out 500meg pp/pm (throttled) and the govt pay them for this in spectrum?

 

[konfab]

It’s almost 2020 and our people are still paying 150 for a gig. If you don’t think there’s a problem there, then you are part of the problem.

Is the staff writer completely deluded? The cartel-like approach to MTN and Vodacom maintaining some of the highest data prices in the world necessitate an intervention like this. Cry me a river while I enjoy cheaper data, thanks.

Competition Commission =10, My Broadband =0. Exploitation of subscribers is really OK? Do you really believe yourself? Shame on you.

The economy works really well when you don't extort payment for almost valueless data!!

Maybe we should organise some free helicopter rides....

 

[Gazg]

Well maybe just maybe they charge so much because our useless corrupt government hasn't provided spectrum for over a decade.

Maybe so........but we will wait until then and see what other excuse these fat cats conjour up.

 

[konfab]

Yup, Spectrum is needed urgently, perhaps they can give out 500meg pp/pm (throttled) and the govt pay them for this in spectrum?

Why?

What the government should do is copy what the Western Cape did and roll our free wifi to all government buildings, including libraries and schools.
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/gene...ing-public-wi-fi-hotspots-across-western-cape

This allows them to sell 5GB of data for R45. That is far better than forcing MTN and Vodacom to join the nanny state.

 

[DXL]

It’s almost 2020 and our people are still paying 150 for a gig. If you don’t think there’s a problem there, then you are part of the problem.

This Article was a paid for Article to promote MTN & Vodacom.

I am sure you all can see it is telling us that R150 a Gig is OK and we need to Open our Legs a little more for Emptyn and Vodacon to go deeper

 

[SaiyanZ]

Here is Vodacom financials. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margin of 38.9% (page 8). R86.6bill revenue, EBITDA of R33.7bill.

https://www.vodacom.com/pdf/annual-results/2019/vodacom-fy19-results-booklet.pdf

Also can't really see how much is spent on marketing and other fluff instead of just providing a service. Doesn't seem like they are providing a lot of value with profits like that.

 

[WAslayer]

People say you pay more on Vodacom and MTN for the premium network and better quality. Yet currently every link I click on, on the vodacom.co.za website gives me a 404.

Vodacom website has exactly zero to do with the quality of their network...