http://www.finance24.com/Finance/Companies/0,,1518-24_1626213,00.html
Telkom tariffs under fire
24/11/2004 18:36 - (SA)
Shoks Mzolo
Johannesburg - The Communication Users Association (Cuasa), a body that represents the interests and needs of communications users, says Telkom's proposed tariff adjustments for 2005 are typical of monopolistic practices.
When filing with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), Telkom proposed a hike of 5.5% for local calls (within a 50km radius) and a 28% reduction on average for international call rates.
"We welcome the reduction in long distance (outside a 50km radius) and international calls but we see that as a result of direct competition from other operators," Cuasa spokesperson Ray Webber said on Wednesday.
"We are disappointed at the increase of local calls, especially since it affects people who can least afford it.
"If they (Telkom) are really sincere about bringing service to the people, they would have dropped costs of local calls too."
Webber said it was blatantly obvious that Telkom was proposing an increase on local calls because there was no competition and this was typical of monopolies.
He accused the telecommunications group of paying lip service to customer care but added that Telkom would soon be pushed into a corner.
"It's a question of time. We as users have new things to look forward to," he said.
One of the things, he said, is the arrival of Telkom's fixed-line rival - the second national operator (SNO).
"Competition is great and we should start seeing differences in the fixed-line market when the SNO arrives," he added.
Cuasa is a member of the Belgium-based International Telecommunication Users Group. It enjoys the support of some influential organisations including the South African Chamber of Business and Information Industry South Africa.
<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">
Telkom tariffs under fire
24/11/2004 18:36 - (SA)
Shoks Mzolo
Johannesburg - The Communication Users Association (Cuasa), a body that represents the interests and needs of communications users, says Telkom's proposed tariff adjustments for 2005 are typical of monopolistic practices.
When filing with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), Telkom proposed a hike of 5.5% for local calls (within a 50km radius) and a 28% reduction on average for international call rates.
"We welcome the reduction in long distance (outside a 50km radius) and international calls but we see that as a result of direct competition from other operators," Cuasa spokesperson Ray Webber said on Wednesday.
"We are disappointed at the increase of local calls, especially since it affects people who can least afford it.
"If they (Telkom) are really sincere about bringing service to the people, they would have dropped costs of local calls too."
Webber said it was blatantly obvious that Telkom was proposing an increase on local calls because there was no competition and this was typical of monopolies.
He accused the telecommunications group of paying lip service to customer care but added that Telkom would soon be pushed into a corner.
"It's a question of time. We as users have new things to look forward to," he said.
One of the things, he said, is the arrival of Telkom's fixed-line rival - the second national operator (SNO).
"Competition is great and we should start seeing differences in the fixed-line market when the SNO arrives," he added.
Cuasa is a member of the Belgium-based International Telecommunication Users Group. It enjoys the support of some influential organisations including the South African Chamber of Business and Information Industry South Africa.
<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">