Re: [Skunkworks] Oohh I like this
Amanya, It would really help to have such information as to the reasons for all this ditching one operator for another.Using your own words,lets not criticise without providing practical suggestions.All this ad hoc hopping does not help in the log run.Remember "1/- forever"? Well,we all know what happened. A thorough costbenefit analysis would detail aspects such voice/data network coverage,voice/data quality,value added services(ringback tones,voicemail,portals,loyalty solutions,etc),flexible access technologies options,enterprise solutions,hosted solutions,m-commerce,ARPU vs market share,trends,etc.All this in close relation to inflation,GDP,purchasing power,interest rates,etc. would go a long way in making firm informed decisions;a far cry from hopping here and there. I have come across such reports in europe that offer invaluable advice to investors.It is not uncommon for such efforts to be spearheaded by consumer groups.This,IMO, is what Kenya is deficient in.Any local or foreign investor would quickly like to know eg which of the providers would meet mobile banking or money transfer services,requirements,technicalities,protocols,formalities,etc.Thats what I (both as a consumer and a technician) would expect from an informed ICT consumer rights group.The challenge is here. bernard -----Original Message----- From: amanya Sent: 02/01/2010 8:46:27 pm To: Skunkworks Forum Cc: bmwagiru Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Oohh I like this @ Rahim, I hope that there's a lot and not just some truth in that. I ditched Suffercicon for Orange two months ago and i welcome all improvements in their speeds. Oh, and a cost/benefit analysis shows at present it's miles ahead of the other mobile networks. and am talking about Orange GSM and not CDMA. In this talk about Cost/Benefit let's not be like the mice who wanted to bell the cat. Let's criticise but more importantly let this be practical with suggestions. I have also ditched Suffericon voice. Sasa niko Yuu tu sana, for example. Am surprised though that Alex Gakuru, who sang Orange praises as far back as a year ago minds that they are improving their speeds. On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 12:33, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists@gmail.com>wrote:
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 12:15 PM, Bernard Mwagiru <bmwagiru@gmail.com> wrote:
As Gakuru rightly put it, it would be far much better to analyse the cost-benefit rather than fantasize on these technologies.Techies(me included) get excited over such but it would be an quite an eye opener for us if a researcher or market analyst could perform an analysis of relevant services.
What I expect in 2010 is a more vibrant consumer awareness in the telecom sector and what should rightly be expected from operators.Many a times operators raise high expectations but those of us locked up in server rooms know all too well the challenges and shortcomings of eg wireless access technologies,etc which are not unique in Kenya; a little googling will confirm this.I am well aware that firms are out to make or squeeze bucks from subscribers.However, with more awareness at least subs will know what they are getting into.In developed countries there exist very well informed consumer rights groups who even perform real life demos and tests for consumers.Remember those early days of flash disks?You walk in and buy a 512mb but is it really 512mb?My 500gb reads 486gb from the properties tab! Never had anyone complain.Why?Because we all know what bits and bytes are. What I hope and expect is an concerted effort by groups,boards,associations,etc charged with protecting and informing the public to live up to their tasks.
-- Expect the ICT Consumers Association of Kenya to implement something similar to http://www.bbb.org/ this year!
cheers,
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Alex and Bernard you are mixing up two issues here: the ideal and what is. It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. Adam Smith *An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations*, par. I.2.2 The telcos will continue giving crappy service, and they are not alone in this, until regulation forces them otherwise. As Bernard rightly points out, an actual Consumers Association would be a huge step forward. That said am stymied when Alex argues, and a second time at that, "Over [the] last 1 year the service was degraded..." and still has an issue with Orange upgrading its network. BTW Alex, Orange did reduce the prices of their data bundles. Bernard, as fas as data goes, I gave all 4 telcos a shot and cost and quality is what motivated me: http://bit.ly/OrangeData, http://bit.ly/SuffData, http://bit.ly/ZainData. Zain's unlimited is the cheapest but it didn't work for me in a number of places. Cost also motivated the voice switch to Yu. From a minimum 100 per day to 100-150 every 2 days. What, Benard, if i may ask are you using for Data and Voice?
On Sun, Jan 3, 2010 at 5:17 PM, amanya <whynnot@gmail.com> wrote:
Alex and Bernard you are mixing up two issues here: the ideal and what is.
It is not certain that your analysis is accurate. Nonetheless...
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.
Of which local experience has repeatedly proven that left unchecked that led donkey meat, kumi kumi and fungus infested loaves and poisonous wheat and flour being sold.
Adam Smith An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, par. I.2.2
pass,
The telcos will continue giving crappy service, and they are not alone in this, until regulation forces them otherwise. As Bernard rightly points out, an actual Consumers Association would be a huge step forward.
Translating your belief into action, did you at least comment on consumer protection and tariffs regulations by CCK when they were out? Generically, it helps little to critisize, blame or point fingers at when one does not contribute to stated own advice.
That said am stymied when Alex argues, and a second time at that, "Over [the] last 1 year the service was degraded..." and still has an issue with Orange upgrading its network. BTW Alex, Orange did reduce the prices of their data bundles.
I subscribed a good quality service as demonstrated for which I agreed to pay a certain amount. Whatever they wan to do with their network is none of my business - so long as they continue delivering the contracted service at the agreed price. About their bundles, I do not know and I do not want to know because the archives attest to my dislike of the whole 'bundle' thingie.. a.
participants (3)
-
amanya -
Bernard Mwagiru -
Gakuru Alex