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For the last four years or so Telkom SA has been using the same “on-hold” music and it is certainly time for a change.
The only thing is, if this monopoly selects Abba’s Ring, Ring ... Why don’t you give me a call?, Telkom SA will be open to lawsuits for false advertising.
Allow me to explain. I am a sports commentator and I report for South African networks from the four corners of the globe. I do the same for a number of other countries with no problems using the toll-free numbers for national operators. However, trying to use the same facilities of Telkom SA is so frustratingly horrendous that on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the best, this bunch of no-hopers would owe the scale 10 points.
This is not just me making an issue. It is the same for my colleagues, and since arriving in SA for a brief business trip all I have heard are people agreeing with me when I raise the subject.
‖Calling the South African operator from overseas for collect calls isn’t hit and miss, it’s pretty much miss. They don’t bother answering the toll-free numbers.
‖If on the off-chance you get one of these inefficient individuals, time and again the line drops out either because the quality of the lines are so poor and/or the inefficient operator has pressed the wrong button to connect the call, or in the middle of a conversation you suddenly hear the on-hold elevator music.
‖If you try using the automated system, the call will go through until the party on the other end has to press the button to accept the call. When that is done, nothing happens, and the line drops out.
And these things happen over and over and over again.
During the recent Wimbledon championships I had to call SA a dozen times a day over two weeks. I kept a record of connections — I got through the first time on just three occasions. I don’t know who the head of Telkom SA is, but if he was head of any of the telcoms in Australia where I am from, or the head of a private corporation, and allowed his company to operate in such a way, his head would be on the block.
The problem is obvious. Telkom SA does not care. They have no competition and that is dangerous.
The minister responsible should be putting a broom through the place, as what I have indicated here barely scratches the surface of this dinosaur.
And remember that dinosaurs became extinct ... with any luck Telkom may go the same way.
Craig GabrielAustralia
Craig GabrielAustralia
For the last four years or so Telkom SA has been using the same “on-hold” music and it is certainly time for a change.
The only thing is, if this monopoly selects Abba’s Ring, Ring ... Why don’t you give me a call?, Telkom SA will be open to lawsuits for false advertising.
Allow me to explain. I am a sports commentator and I report for South African networks from the four corners of the globe. I do the same for a number of other countries with no problems using the toll-free numbers for national operators. However, trying to use the same facilities of Telkom SA is so frustratingly horrendous that on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the best, this bunch of no-hopers would owe the scale 10 points.
This is not just me making an issue. It is the same for my colleagues, and since arriving in SA for a brief business trip all I have heard are people agreeing with me when I raise the subject.
‖Calling the South African operator from overseas for collect calls isn’t hit and miss, it’s pretty much miss. They don’t bother answering the toll-free numbers.
‖If on the off-chance you get one of these inefficient individuals, time and again the line drops out either because the quality of the lines are so poor and/or the inefficient operator has pressed the wrong button to connect the call, or in the middle of a conversation you suddenly hear the on-hold elevator music.
‖If you try using the automated system, the call will go through until the party on the other end has to press the button to accept the call. When that is done, nothing happens, and the line drops out.
And these things happen over and over and over again.
During the recent Wimbledon championships I had to call SA a dozen times a day over two weeks. I kept a record of connections — I got through the first time on just three occasions. I don’t know who the head of Telkom SA is, but if he was head of any of the telcoms in Australia where I am from, or the head of a private corporation, and allowed his company to operate in such a way, his head would be on the block.
The problem is obvious. Telkom SA does not care. They have no competition and that is dangerous.
The minister responsible should be putting a broom through the place, as what I have indicated here barely scratches the surface of this dinosaur.
And remember that dinosaurs became extinct ... with any luck Telkom may go the same way.
Craig GabrielAustralia
Craig GabrielAustralia
