Telkom slates current mobile services
Vodacom, MTN and Cell C recently came under fire for potentially congested networks which may result in dropped calls, delayed SMSs and network unavailability.
Complaints from cellular subscribers culminated in an ICASA investigation where the cellular providers were hauled before the ICASA Council to explain the consumer complaints.
While the mobile providers argued that their networks are definitely not oversubscribed and that their dropped call rates are relatively low, ICASA Chairman Paris Mashile remained unconvinced, saying that dropped calls are a result of the oversubscription of mobile networks.
Telkom now added their voice to the mobile service level discussion, saying that “currently mobile customers are experiencing the effects of a highly congested network and poor quality of service.”
Telkom’s own mobile plans
Telkom’s criticism of the current mobile services comes as the company is planning its own mobile strategy for SA. The fixed line provider says that the recent liberalisation in the licensing regime, advancements in convergence technology and the termination of the Vodafone shareholders agreement provides it with the opportunity to enter the mobile market.
“We believe that an integrated fixed-mobile operator is well positioned to react to, and take advantage of, the future requirements of our customers. By developing an integrated fixed-mobile offering Telkom will seek to leverage its customer base, marketing, logistics and distribution channels to increase its share of voice revenue,” Telkom said.
Telkom added that Internet access demands are increasingly requiring mobility, and that an “integrated bundled offering would offer superior speeds and quality through the fixed-line, including the advantages of mobility when required by the customer.”
While Telkom indicated that current mobile customers may suffer from poor quality services, it says that it plans to use the strengths of its fixed-line network to differentiate its mobile service on quality with a fully converged array of products and services. “Our Next Generation Network and access to the latest technologies will provide further value to our customers,” Telkom says.
Telkom has rolled out 141 W-CDMA sites in major metropolitan areas throughout South Africa, initially focusing on areas affected by theft, breakages and high numbers of incidents. Telkom is however planning to extend its roll-out to rural areas and to replace ‘expensive to maintain’ legacy equipment.
“Our move into offering a fully fledged mobile service is dependent on the finalisation of market research and the outcome of pilot and customer trials planned for the end of 2009.”
Telkom appears to be well aware that it will not be easy to take on Vodacom and MTN in the cellular market, and said that it “will not commit to further capital expenditure other than that focused on reducing costs before the company has completed its market research.”
Telkom mobile discussion
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