The numbers game
Posted by Rich...! under Uncategorized on August 1 2005 at 8:06 PMIn D’ave’s recent post on MTN’s great service, Derek Mitchell made a valid point in the comments regarding the lock-in strategies of the cellular carriers.
The one thing he mentioned was the 2-year contract we need to sign when we get our phones, I don’t mind this, basically it’s an offer you take if you want the carrier to subsidise the cost of your phone, quid pro quo.
The issue I do agree with is the fact that we have basically no recourse if we’re not happy with the service we’re getting, as currently we’re only renting our phone numbers from them, and lets face it, you’d need to be all kinds of pissed off before you voluntarily give up your cell number.
Anyway, we asked around, and rumour has it that we could see number portability as soon as October. It’s a brave step, because now if you can afford your own handset and don’t need a contract, you can change carriers if they’re not up to scratch. In fact you can change even if they are, it’s your number, and your choice.
About time too…!
August 1st, 2005 at 10:51 pm
I heard on the radio a few weeks back that number portability across cell operators is mandatory (legislated) from next year, and one of the operators (MTN iirc) is going a step further with cross-service provider portability in the meantime.
Verrrry nice
August 1st, 2005 at 11:07 pm
its a step in the right direction, i mean SA has way too many cartels ripping people off (*cough *cough telkom anyone?)
August 2nd, 2005 at 9:29 am
Yea i believe it when i see it, we get so nobbed by everybody who provides in the telecoms sector..
They like to make there contracts confusing, so you are not really sure what you are getting….MTN can blow me, Telkom i wanna blow up….and Vodacom for there shitty 3g coverage can get bent……
I like my wirlesss isp, so they can stay for a bit !
Hey anyone remember the promise that we would have a second network operator by now ……….Number portability – HA ! believe it when i see it !
August 2nd, 2005 at 11:03 am
Place your faith in porta-loo’s…they’re available at many fine camping equipment outlets, worldwide!
August 3rd, 2005 at 12:09 am
H3ll yes – as grandMasterKrust mentioned where is the SNO (second national operator) that was supposed to become reality in June. I suppose a search over at mybroadband.co.za will reveal the truth – mind you not sure I can handle the truth. I’m trying to run my web based business over telkom’s 5hitty adsl – it sucks. I suppose though that’s a result of 7 years with an _uncapped_ cable modem in the states. I’d almost put up with the Bushes in order to have that bandwidth again – well maybe not. Anyway I know what telkom would say – since I returned to SA it’s become the mantra I hear all to often. It goes like this “We have put systems in to monitor the situation. We haven’t informed any of our staff however and that’s why you as joe public (aka lowest form of life on earth) are dissatisfied. You don’t understand – you see it’s complicated… blah blah blah”. As consumers, we South Africans have got a long way to go. How about:
- we vote with our checkbooks?
- boycott obscenely expensive cell phone offerings (How about a national no SMS day – that’d get their attention).
- demanding accountability for our taxes – let’s try not to buy mugabe another villa in france – screw him – charity starts at home
Oops – I’m definitely developing issues.
August 3rd, 2005 at 11:24 am
Number portability would be an awesome thing, as the UK have had for year. Unfortunately it could mean the end of actual cell phone subsidy by the carriers, but only maybe. As in the UK, I guess there is the remote possibility of inter connect termination and origination fees across the 3 networks being different. i.e. you will pay more (possibly allot more) for calling a Vodacome number from your MTN handset than you would a MTN subscriber. Currently legilsation prohibits this I believe. I guess all will be revealed in good time…the SNO is a whole other matter…
August 8th, 2005 at 11:12 am
When will this happen? I’m looking forward to it. And URLs? I’ve heard about it, but havn’t seen solid info…