R.I.P 8ta/Telkom Mobile

[kingrob]

Was it confirmed that they will take that route? I think it will be foolish to transfer your existing infrastructure just to rent it from someone else.
Will they not sub-contract the areas where they do not have coverage?

I really hope sense prevail.

Somehow it feels like Telkom is gaining momentum and will become the dominant player.

And hopefully they will dump eMTyN.

 

[RazedInBlack]

When still in the conception stage there was a huge debate as to whether the mobile division should be a separate legal enity and a wholly owned subsidiary or a separate division within Telkom (which won and 8ta was born) or whether it should be integrated with Telkom's Retail division (as it is now).

All three had its pros and cons and I was in favour of the latter. The 8ta option created too much duplication and plenty of money was invested into making it totally separate from the "old" Telkom.

However there were moves afoot (in 2009 already) to totally transform Telkom, part of which entailed a wireless presence in the rural and non-ADSL areas to facilitate the recovery of/disinvest in the copper network due to it being unprofitable and prone to theft (high maintenance).

It also created ill-feeling within the company as the 8ta staff were seen to be elitist and not part of the Telkom Group. As an example, 8ta had to apply for transmission links in the same way as the other mobile operators by placing orders on Telkom Wholesale.

This iteration bring the 8ta network and staff back into Telkom Wholesale, while the sales staff move to Telkom Retail. The outstanding puzzle piece is the transfer of the radio access network to MTN....

The biggest benefit is the consolidated planning of the fixed and mobile networks as well as the fixed/mobile combo products that Telkom Retail can now offer.

It used to be Telkom Mobile when they first started out.

 

[kingrob]

It used to be Telkom Mobile when they first started out.

No, it was actually 8ta.

 

[MickeyD]

It used to be Telkom Mobile when they first started out.

Nope, during the conception and pre-launch phases it was given a generic name - Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). Before the launch of the service they had a few options and chose 8ta.

 

[Paul Hjul]

unfortunately they dropped the convergence ball and angle majorly ...

 

[MickeyD]

unfortunately they dropped the convergence ball and angle majorly ...

It's only now that they've run with ideas from 2009/10 !!!

 

[Paul Hjul]

so I wasted my opportunity when I said to Brian Armstrong "I have a bone to pick with you"

- I complained at his quoting Bob Dylan without having a musical instrument present
also that he chose the wrong Dylan quote to describe the sector at the moment

 

[MickeyD]

so I wasted my opportunity when I said to Brian Armstrong "I have a bone to pick with you"

- I complained at his quoting Bob Dylan without having a musical instrument present
also that he chose the wrong Dylan quote to describe the sector at the moment

He was not there yet - think he only came on board the next year.

 

[Paul Hjul]

Ah right
Okay so I did pick the right bone to pick with him

well that and that their Pinnacle Call Centre have failed to sort out their own muckup for 3 weeks

 

[Creag]

I've been with 8ta, then Telkom Mobile, and back to Telkom, all in the space of three years.

Just feeling a bit nostalgic tonight.

It makes sense why the Telkom Mobile guy today looked a little flat

 

[RichardG]

Everything under one umbrella is confusing to be honest.. Example going to the shop to buy airtime you've to still say 8ta / Telkom Mobile cos sometimes the cashier gives you prepaid landdline.. It has happened to me and others. Make up your mind... 8ta brand was nice.... Then they decided to spend more money on brand awareness by changing the name again, again. How much money have they flushed down the drain.. R500 million + in stores you still see old sim cards 8ta with Telkom mobile next to it what's next Telkom cards next to it.