GPSA Weekly Views

Back to Telkom this week as they tried to defend their rip-off pricing structure to ICASA. Specifically their ADSL services (which is the closest we'll ever come to broadband) were questioned during a hearing by ICASA between Telkom, Internet Solutions, MTN Network Solutions and the founder of the MyADSL web site.

ICASA (being the controlling body) was forced to submit to this hearing after around 450 public complaints about the ADSL services offered by Telkom. To put you in the picture, visit the Hellkom site to see what Telkom offers on this broadband service.

We've been ripped off for so long that for something like this to happen (at last) leave us all with a big smirk on our faces. Telkom used to their defense a Markinor poll (an independent market research company) that showed that 88% of their ADSL customers / subscribers were happy with the service. This report has never been published, and to be honest, I personally belief that it's either a farce or it's never existed. The people that counts have never heard of this research.

I cannot believe that Telkom can make their name arse like that by quoting reports that they cannot produce. To prove that this statement is false, Ananzi and the MyADSL web sites ran their own polls. And guess what? Ananzi had 721 people voting of which 83% were unhappy with MyADSL showing 98% of the 876 respondents being unhappy. Up yours Telkom. That's what you get when you steal from your consumers!

On the bright side, seems our second network operator will be in business before year-end. If anything counts it'll be running feet of existing customers to the opposition. Can't wait!

Now for some good news - according to the police statistics, Tracker and Netstar, car hijackings are down. Tracker and Netstar (vehicle satellite tracking and recovery services) reported that hijackings are down 43% and a third for Netstar. The police reported that 1 379 less cars were 'jacked' last year compared to the period 1999/2000.

Of course it helps that satellite tracking has become more affordable in that a three year contract finances and subscribes the owner with an added bonus of lower insurance premiums. Then there is the special police unit that's doing a good job of catching and successfully prosecuting syndicates.

Tracker says that their customer base is growing between 8 and 9 thousand per month with no increase in hijackings reported. Car theft has in fact decreased faster (18%) compared to hijackings (13%).

Now, if 'they' can only establish specialist units for for other problem areas such as domestic violence and the raping and killing of women and children. The specialist units here does not enjoy the same success as the 'car dudes'. And various obstacles such as invasion of privacy etc. etc. stops the law from protecting those who need it most - our lovely constitution again. Seems the law is failing us in that respect.

Weekly View
	20 April 2005
Back to Telkom this week as they tried to defend their rip-off pricing structure to ICASA. Specifically their ADSL services (which is the closest we'll ever come to broadband) were questioned during a hearing by ICASA between Telkom, Internet Solutions, MTN Network Solutions and the founder of the MyADSL web site. ICASA (being the controlling body) was forced to submit to this hearing after around 450 public complaints about the ADSL services offered by Telkom. To put you in the picture, visit the Hellkom site to see what Telkom offers on this broadband service. We've been ripped off for so long that for something like this to happen (at last) leave us all with a big smirk on our faces. Telkom used to their defense a Markinor poll (an independent market research company) that showed that 88% of their ADSL customers / subscribers were happy with the service. This report has never been published, and to be honest, I personally belief that it's either a farce or it's never existed. The people that counts have never heard of this research. I cannot believe that Telkom can make their name arse like that by quoting reports that they cannot produce. To prove that this statement is false, Ananzi and the MyADSL web sites ran their own polls. And guess what? Ananzi had 721 people voting of which 83% were unhappy with MyADSL showing 98% of the 876 respondents being unhappy. Up yours Telkom. That's what you get when you steal from your consumers! On the bright side, seems our second network operator will be in business before year-end. If anything counts it'll be running feet of existing customers to the opposition. Can't wait! Now for some good news - according to the police statistics, Tracker and Netstar, car hijackings are down. Tracker and Netstar (vehicle satellite tracking and recovery services) reported that hijackings are down 43% and a third for Netstar. The police reported that 1 379 less cars were 'jacked' last year compared to the period 1999/2000. Of course it helps that satellite tracking has become more affordable in that a three year contract finances and subscribes the owner with an added bonus of lower insurance premiums. Then there is the special police unit that's doing a good job of catching and successfully prosecuting syndicates. Tracker says that their customer base is growing between 8 and 9 thousand per month with no increase in hijackings reported. Car theft has in fact decreased faster (18%) compared to hijackings (13%). Now, if 'they' can only establish specialist units for for other problem areas such as domestic violence and the raping and killing of women and children. The specialist units here does not enjoy the same success as the 'car dudes'. And various obstacles such as invasion of privacy etc. etc. stops the law from protecting those who need it most - our lovely constitution again. Seems the law is failing us in that respect.	Past Views Current Joke Past jokes Gallery Links Current Exchange Rate Daily News Headlines Articles
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