How did Telkom respond to the news?

Well, it comes as no surprise that Telkom is disappointed with the ruling.

Telkom said: “Telkom embarked on the acquisition to diversify its revenues and strengthen its ability to provide full-service solutions and products in anticipation of future market needs. It is therefore disappointed with the ruling, but Telkom will continue to explore opportunities in areas such as fixed-mobile and other converged services” (Telkom disappointed with BCX ruling, MyBroadband, 29 June, 2007).

In other words, Telkom is disappointed because the company just wanted ‘…to diversify its revenues and strengthen its ability to provide full-service solutions and products in anticipation of future market needs’ (BCX emerges from merger ‘cloud,’ Samantha Perry, ITWEB, 29 June 2007).

We think Telkom is disappointed because now it’s going to be more difficult to screw the average South African consumer than earlier anticipated. We’re sure Telkom is BIG and MEAN enough to find other ways ‘…to diversify its revenues and strengthen its ability to provide full-service solutions and products in anticipation of future market needs.’

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is happy the Competition Commission ruled against the proposed deal. It will certainly leave more breathing space for decency in this country.