Mbeki brokers $60m Benin deal for MTN

[rpm]

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Cellular/1347.html

 

[antowan]

I don't know if this is a good thing at all. To me it confirms that government is deliberately steering telecoms in SA to garner money for international expansion.

Direct involvement by Thabo Mbeki himself to get a telecoms company a better deal in another country?

Why doesn't he do this to get consumers better service here in SOUTH AFRICA??!!??

In other words, the current telecoms consumer in SA is paying for other people's benefit outside the country. Expensive excersize!

I have no reason whatsoever to believe we will have it much easier within the next decade and I am done waiting. I am getting older and this country is getting boring.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Pity Mbeki cannot see to the Telecoms industry in his own backyard.

 

[Sneeky]

ROFL, Benin could've doubled that figure again and MTN would still crawl back in there.

from ITWeb

Nhleko added that the switch-off had not materially affected MTN's bottom line, as the impact had been “digestible”. However, damage had been done. “The damage, unfortunately, will be more to the government than to us, as they have put us in this position.”

The MTN executive added the regulator's action was not only “extremely unfortunate” for the ICT sector, “but also for Benin as an investment destination”.
http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/telecoms/2007/0709171100.asp?A=CEL&S=Cellular&O=FPLEAD

If it is now such a bad investment destination, why are you still in there? Who are you trying to kid?

 

[theStudent]

MTN get what they deserve.... if you want risky investments.. then you get risks!

Look at where MTN set-up shop....
Volatile places in Africa and the Middle-east

Sad thing is they set-up all this with the money they make from us (by ripping us off)

 

[zaknight]

Political will

This finally proves without the shadow of a doubt that there is more political will to change things outside the country than address problems in the country. Telecommunications being one of them. The only exception there being Zimbabwe.