antitrust.co.za

Antitrust is joining Tectonic's call to citizens, business and government to wake up about Telkom's atrocious behaviour and the current state of our telecoms industry. An advert is being taken out, probably in the Mail&Guardian, registering our severe dissatisfaction and, hopefully, crying foul play in the telecoms sector.

This is a lot more than just a bunch of consumers unhappy with prices. International observers and world-leading foreign academics and analysts have been warning and warning that what is going on in telecoms in SA is stifling our economy and hurting our democracy, and that the longer we allow this to happen, the more difficult it is going to be to break out of. There are severe economic and political consequences for countries who do not liberalise their telecoms industries in the correct window of opportunity. Our window is just inches from being shut for a long long time. This is not just about grossly overpaying for your ADSL line.

I can tell you that there are certain obligations that South Africa has to bodies like the World Trade Organisation with regards to liberalising our telecoms industry, and that, internationally, bodies like this have noted their concerns to our government. This advert will tell these bodies that YES, WE TOO ARE CONCERNED. Yes, these bodies must come and take a look at what's been happening the last few years. The M&G is the paper to get their attention, as well as the attention of the president, local and international universities, foreign investors, politicians, intellectuals, ICASA, businesses, the Minister of Communications, and a fair portion of our fellow sleepy South African citizens.

They too are sick of the mishandling of the sector.
They too are appalled at new restrictions on the Second Network Operator.
They too are desperate for clarity about the ADSL regulations.
They too are scared for the future of our economy, a very real danger lurks in tomorrow.
They too have seen all cries for Telkom and ICASA and government to be held accountable be silenced.
They too believe that the situation with Telkom is affecting our democracy very badly.
They too are angry at being ignored.

This sort of thing has been talked about forever. But that's the darn problem with us. WE behave like politicians - we talk talk talk and never do anything meaningful. The we turn around and accuse politicians of doing the same thing. Amazing, isn't it?

Almost R10 000 has been pledged. Put your name in the advert's print. Stop being like a politician and put your money where you mouth is, and set a precedent in South Africa.

Here's the link if you didn't get it already: http://www.tectonic.co.za/tag.php