The reason for this is that Cell C’s supporters are getting annoyed with ever increasing problems experienced on Cell C’s network, and that any move to jump in bed with Telkom might be seen as the last straw. It is no secret that Telkom is well known for its pathetic service, so if Cell C jumps in bed with Telkom things could go even further south for Cell C. If you are serious about service you should jump in bed with a company that has a track record of excellent service delivery, or at least with a company such as Neotel which is starting with a relatively clean slate. In terms of service deliveryexperienced Cell C and Telkom may be a perfect match but this will definitely not sit well with Cell C’s supporters and the public in general. One must always aim at improving one’s service and jumping in bed with Telkom is definitely not going to help any company in that regard. Maybe the saying that ‘birds of a feather, tends to flock together’ is about to get true.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is convinced that many people can’t wait to see the day Telkom sells it 50% shareholding in Vodacomto Vodafone, which will have the first option to buy, or to another player. It is no secret that Telkom and Vodacom are increasingly fighting over the same bone and are getting in each other’s hair more frequently than before. This is a sure sign that the relationship between Telkom and Vodacom should end sooner rather than later before things really get ugly. We have no doubt in our minds that if Oger Telecom fails in buying a huge chunk of Telkom, MTNwill finally manage to open the door to the selling of Telkom’s 50% shareholding in Vodacom to Vodafone, by moving in for the kill themselves. Finally, because despite MTN’s failure to push through a deal last year, word is out that they are busy giving it a second shot. It seems that Oger Telecom’s offer has helped to push MTN faster into action than anticipated. The investment bankers are already busy with preliminary discussions, paving the way for MTN to take a second shot at Telkom’s fixed-line assets. It is difficult at best to predict whether Oger Telecom or MTN will work away with the ‘grand prize’ but from the competition-authorities’ perspective Oger Telecom might stand a better chance.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) don’t want to see Cell C jumping in bed with Telkom, although it may open the door to the selling of Telkom’s 50% shareholding in Vodacom and more.