The Big steal

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 22 August 2007

Are we still paying too much for ADSL in South Africa? This is the question one can ask after all the ADSL price cuts in South Africa in recent months.
 
Believe it or not, but we’re still paying through our ears for ADSL connections in South Africa. In a recent article, titled: 100 Mbps Triple Play Service for R436-00, MyBroadband once again exposed the exorbant fixed-line broadband (ADSL) rates charged in South Africa.
 
To give you an idea of what’s really going on: ‘When compared with international offerings on a fair basis – which involves a Cost/Mbps/GB comparison – it emerges that local ADSL subscribers are paying as much as 7 000% more than their international counterparts” (100 Mbps Triple Play Service for R436-00, MyBroadband, 10 August 2007).
 
In other words, it’s safe to say that chances are very good that you are still over-paying for your ADSL connection in South Africa, and give it to us, this must be the under statement of the year.
 
How far is South Africa lagging behind developed countries?
 
Light years to say the least but judge for yourself…
 
‘Orange SA – which operates in Paris - recently launched their 100 Mbps triple play service, offering an uncapped 100 Mbps broadband connection, 51 channel television service and unlimited phone calls. The price - R 436-00 a month. This is however not the best deal in town – Paris that is. Free, a competing French ISP, announced a €30 – or R 290-00 - a month triple play offering which includes a 50 Mbps Internet connection, free phone calls to 42 countries and high-definition television. This offer is essentially a combination of an uncapped ADSL connection, your full-bouquet DSTV service, the best Telkom Closer call plan, and unlimited international phone calls for a flat rate of under R 300-00 per month’ (100 Mbps Triple Play Service for R436-00, MyBroadband, 10 August 2007).
 
In other words, it is still greener on the other side where the cost of ADSL connections is of a concern.
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) calls it the ‘Big Steal’ because they area stealing your hard-earned money right from under your noses through devious marketing campaigns, et cetera. Devious because who in his/her right mind will pay 7000% more for something that he/she can get much-much cheaper elsewhere? 
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) will continue to cry foul while the ‘Big Steal’ continues in South Africa.