Theory: ICASA are "bluffing"

[Siembambaa]

Hear me out

ICASA hardly have a history of strong pro-consumer action regarding Telkom ... quite the reverse. Continual government inteference on Telkom's side led to the resignation of Mandla Langa the previous head of ICASA. By all accounts the new head is little more than a government (major Telkom shareholder) puppet.

ICASA's current demand for scraping of the ADSL line rental is so incongrous with its former actions that I suspect it is adopting this extreme position with the intent of eventually negotiating a middle ground settlement with Telkom. ICASA seem particularly interested in squeezing more information about its internal workings from Telkom.

Similarly, Telkom are also taking an extreme stance i.e. total disconnection of their ADSL customerts. They too are probably taking this ridiculous position in order to prepare for future concenssions i.e. reduced but still existant ADSL rental.

So, in essence, I wouldnt count on ADSL line rentals disappearing any time soon. I would, of course, love to be proved wrong!

 

[w1z4rd]

I personally think Telkom are acting extremely childish, and it worries me that such silly actions are commited by our ONLY fixed lined provider.

People all over the world are laughing at us.

 

[MaD]

They are a national embarassment, always have been.

 

[antowan]

ICASA cannot back down because the findings are solid and international good conduct is on our side. Telkom doesn't have a leg to stand on. They will have to roll over and provide good quality service and good prices. Most people in our country don't have access to even basic services because Telkom is sticking to the small userbase + high prices = Fantastic profits formula.

Instead they should adopt a large userbase + affordable prices = good profits formula

The last one would have been forced anyway, had there been good competition for Telkom.

The SNO will however not be enough! That is why Telkom is so damned happy with the arrival of just ONE competing operator.

Can anybody say DUOPOLY???

 

[EchoDown]

Duopoly

 

[antowan]

 

[bwana]

All telkom is showing me with all their pontificating is justification for LLU and the nationalization of our SAT3 landings. They obviously cannot handle the socio-economic responsibility of being the sole fixed line operator.

 

[caroper]

By all accounts the new head is little more than a government (major Telkom shareholder) puppet.

"“It’s psychological warfare,” said Icasa CEO Paris Mashile yesterday.

Mashile said Icasa had made its decision and Telkom had the right to challenge it, but Icasa would not be cowed. “Telkom is trying to stymie us in terms of doing what we need to do as a regulator,” he said.

Not what I would expect from a puppet...............

 

[Celemasiko]

Let them talk, to me it is last kick of a dying horse, because they know very well that we are right. They just try to defend the indefensable.