Will SA mobile networks block WhatsApp?

I hope they are ready for a ***** storm if they try this..The MNO that doesn't block IM services will win..
 
“Charging more or regulating charges for over-the-top-players is ludicrous. Operators should be finding ways of partnering with OTT players instead of calling on regulatory bodies to intervene.”
Click to expand...

at least cell c has some sense...
 
Pfft, first one to block WhatsApp will just give more customers to a competitor. FNB, Orange and the like will probably jump at the opportunity to gain more customers.
 
Hamster said:
Pfft, first one to block WhatsApp will just give more customers to a competitor. FNB, Orange and the like will probably jump at the opportunity to gain more customers.
Click to expand...

Cell C offered whatsapp data for free if I recall correctly...
 
Google didn't invest in any infrastructure, you want to block and/or charge them too?
 
Shred said:
Google didn't invest in any infrastructure, you want to block and/or charge them too?
Click to expand...

Even the other way around.....MTN didn't invest in Whatsapp (or Google), so why should they get the privilege of these services running one their network. I say Whatsapp and Google should block MTN first.
 
“You have these players which are getting huge benefit out of an industry without making any investment. What have these over-the-top (OTT) players invested in South Africa? Zero,” said Nyati.
Click to expand...
Ludicrous. Why should a service invest in anything but its own infrastructure to get it out into the world? By this reasoning google, wikipedia, facebook, should all be investing in every country they're used. Why do we even have tools like this as CEOs?

Maybe MTN should have invested all those billions we paid it to provide proper services. Instead it's become the most useless network in SA.
 
This is why I'm always going to be using prepaid. If a operator blocks any service or website on the internet, I'll be gone within a day.

Well done to Cell C!

Charging more or regulating charges for over-the-top-players is ludicrous. Operators should be finding ways of partnering with OTT players instead of calling on regulatory bodies to intervene.
Click to expand...
 
The term "Over The Top" is a manufactured term by operators. They need to wake up and smell the roses - it is called the internet. Frankly messaging (in the form of IRC) existed on the internet before the world-wide web.

So every time I hear MTN making statements about "over-the-top" all I hear that they would want to stop providing the full set of internet services to their customers. Good luck to them - I am going to start spreading the message that MTN is threatening to stop providing real internet to its subscribers and for the full internet experience you have to choose somebody else.
 
Well said - this is the essence of the issue.

Johand said:
The term "Over The Top" is a manufactured term by operators. They need to wake up and smell the roses - it is called the internet. Frankly messaging (in the form of IRC) existed on the internet before the world-wide web.

So every time I hear MTN making statements about "over-the-top" all I hear that they would want to stop providing the full set of internet services to their customers. Good luck to them - I am going to start spreading the message that MTN is threatening to stop providing real internet to its subscribers and for the full internet experience you have to choose somebody else.
Click to expand...

Operators/ISP's have three options

- Full access to the internet
- Censor sites/services they don't like
- Charge extra for sites/services they don't like

When they stop providing the first option, I'm gone.

What worries me is that Afrihost is doing business with these clowns, who now own a majority of Afrihost shares.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter