dj_sam_antha,
I see what you're saying about profitability and all that economics stuff but...
These are big, fundamental problems that are bring raised here. And if you read enough forums on this site, you'll see that Telkom does get praised when it does do something good... even if Telkom is actually SUPPOSED to perform that duty.
However, the problems that are continually been raised here are very critical. To name a few:
(i) The expensive ADSL line rental that needs to be paid to Telkom for an indefinite period. I know we can't compare Telkom with other operators BUT if Telkom is basically the only operator in the world that charges such a fee, should we not complain?? If it wasn't for this factor, I would have applied for ADSL a long time ago. Am still on 56K dialup at home.
(ii) To state that 10GB is enough for legal purposes... well, if you use ADSL fow what it was really intended for (NOT just html, pop, etc...), then you'll see that 10GB is not anywhere near enough. Sure, a few people who use ADSL moderately will be happy with this cap, but not for those people who use what ADSL was INTENDED to be used for.
(iii) The most troublesome factor though, even more worrisome than Telkom, is the DoC and Poison Ivy (our minister). A lot of complaints have be issued about this department's inability to ensure that telecoms prices in this country stay at a reasonable level. The fact that they also seem to enjoy trampling on the "I" (independence) of ICASA is another problem that seems to occur a lot.
It might seem like we're cry babies in the way we complain about Telkom and the DoC, as if SA doesn't have greater problems than the telecoms crises BUT.... the fact is that it is OUR right to complain if we believe we're being riipped off or not being given value for our much earned money.
If it wasn't for sites such as myadsl and hellkom.co.za which have allowed consumers to complain, I doubt that the government would have paid more attention to the telecoms industry as it is doing now. As for me, I'll keep acting like a cry baby until I get the service I deserve from these telecoms operators for the money I'm forking out. As I stated, it is my right.