Telkom remains a disgrace

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 22 December 2006

It is clear from its conduct that Telkom has chosen to remain a disgrace to decency in this country. It is clear that they have once again chosen the road that leads to destruction.

Many of us might have thought that Telkom’s shareholders are happy about the state of affairs at Telkom because of all the profits that’s streaming in. Word is out on the street that the contrary is true. Telkom’s shareholders, of which many are consumers of Telkom’s services themselves, are not happy at all especially after Telkom managed to get a bill of approximately R2 billion on the table after they tried to play it dirty with Telcordia. Also “Telkom’s recent announcement that they were going to set up a New Generation Network that would cost billions upset the apple cart” (Telkom must learn to listen, Muller, December 2006). 

In another development broadband users are furious about the R5.6 million Telkom forked out to its new CEO, Leapeetswe Molotsane, in his first six months of service. This after Telkom only managed to reduce the price of ADSL with 12% this year. Our apologies to Telkom, we forgot, it’s actually part of their tradition to fork out millions to their CEOs not to speak of the R11 million they forked out in 2004.

Just imagine what Mr. Molotsane can buy with R5.6 million while thousands of ordinary South Africans have to fork out millions on Telkom’s over-priced telecoms services… 

In a third development it seems that Business Connexion (BCX) and Telkom are hard-pressed to go through with a planned merger even after the Competition Commission recommended otherwise. The Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) is also fighting against the merger because it says it will allow Telkom to push up consumer prices (Block Telkom, BCX merger, ISPA Says, 20 December 2006). According to Ant Brooks, ISPA’s General Manager: "Protecting the individual internet consumer is as important to ISPA as serving the interest of its members…" ADSL South Africa encourages each and every consumer in South Africa, whether business or private, to boycott both BCX’s and Telkom’s products and services. Send a clear signal to them that you are fed up about the state of affairs and are not going to take any of their crap anymore.

Now someone other than a fat cat might try to defend Telkom by asking: “Are you guys not going to far in your hate-campaign against Telkom?” Our answer will be a definitive ‘NO’ with a counter question: “How can you love decency but not hate indecency with an absolute passion?” Our campaign is a campaign of love since we actually care about the welfare of the citizens of this country. This is the reason why we shall keep on kicking Telkom in the teeth until its clear that Telkom decided to be decent.

One thing is clear: We shall not be able to achieve victory without your help. We have to unite and start a telecoms revolution in South Africa. Maybe some of you will laugh at this notion but remember Telkom is laughing at you and will keep on laughing at you while you let them strip you naked.

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>