The naked Telkom

[rpm]

The naked Telkom

In little over three weeks, Telkom will dispose of its 50% stake in Vodacom. The divestiture will reshape SA’s telecommunications landscape for the better. But the really hard work begins now for Telkom CEO Reuben September and his team.

 

[Tinuva]

The author is right with one fact, Telkom can't exactly fall. However they can financially put themselves in a very bad position now, only if they do fall, someone else will buy them out and telkom will be telkom again. They still have the best infrastructure in SA by far and can use that to their advantage.

Perhaps now is the time they should really start to focus on not only good support for business' but consumers as well...if they can.

 

[snail]

well...telkom...if u are reading this......i hope your broadband prices drop completely and your speeds increase extremely, otherwise you wont be getting much support in the future in this department.

 

[ads]

I suppose it's good that the emperor has noticed that he has no clothes, but he's still too proud to go shopping for any soon...

 

[ike]

i think this is the end for telkom, and all of it self-inflicted.

 

[Rouxenator]

Hopefully Vodacom will also get better after this. I am thinking along the lines of better data pricing. 5c/MB is the goal but even Virgin Mobile rates will do.

 

[antowan]

The author is right with one fact, Telkom can't exactly fall. However they can financially put themselves in a very bad position now, only if they do fall, someone else will buy them out and telkom will be telkom again. They still have the best infrastructure in SA by far and can use that to their advantage.

Perhaps now is the time they should really start to focus on not only good support for business' but consumers as well...if they can.

All true, but easily fixable by the competition. Infrastructure is like mushroom spores. If you allow it to spread, it will...

 

[tjunyat]

All true, but easily fixable by the competition. Infrastructure is like mushroom spores. If you allow it to spread, it will...

The problem with their infrastructure is it is outdated and it is costing them a lot to update it, which they aren't actually all that interested in doing. Sure, they're (too-)slowly updating the core, but if the local loop from the exchange to your house is crap, you're still screwed.

What SA realistically needs is shared infrastructure, including trenches, fibre runs, ducting and then competing on the actual value adds and service, rather than everyone individually laying their own infrastructure. But maybe that's just my opinion.

 

[ponder]

What SA realistically needs is shared infrastructure, including trenches, fibre runs, ducting and then competing on the actual value adds and service, rather than everyone individually laying their own infrastructure. But maybe that's just my opinion.

I agree with you. It would be much cheaper to share & co-operate than each replicating the trench work & stuff.

 

[CalmD]

You're right Tjunyat.If all the network operators decide to build their own infrastructure it will take time for the consumer to get true value.Shared infrastructure is ideal for significant value in the short term.That said,September might have something up his sleeve.Lets give him time and support.I think change is eventual but let us not rush it.

 

[bekdik]

You're right Tjunyat.If all the network operators decide to build their own infrastructure it will take time for the consumer to get true value.Shared infrastructure is ideal for significant value in the short term.That said,September might have something up his sleeve.Lets give him time and support.I think change is eventual but let us not rush it.

The only thing he has up his sleeve is his arm. Why on earth should we, the ripped off consumer, give him time of day, never mind time and support.

As soon as a truly viable option presents itself Telkom's boat will be on the rocks as everyone jumps ship.