Time to Get Real: How Streaming Giants Are Sucking the Life Out of Telcos

South Africa’s telcos are getting a raw deal from the streaming giants. While they’re busy delivering high-quality entertainment to your doorstep, they’re leaving our telecoms operators to foot the bill. It’s time to call out these unfair practices and demand a fairer deal.

Professor Petrus Potgieter, an expert in decision sciences, agrees that it’s high time telcos started getting paid for their hard work. "The big picture here is that the broadband providers have a high-cost investment model with high fixed costs," he says. "They’re heavily regulated, but the content providers are not."

Potgieter points out that while telcos are saddled with onerous coverage obligations, they’re not getting a fair share of the profits. "The content providers enjoy the immense protection of copyright, and no one ever discusses this," he says. "They’ve been hugely successful in leveraging copyright into profitable business models online, and the ‘value add’ has gone to them, not the access providers."

But Potgieter isn’t just advocating for a handout. He thinks it’s time for telcos to get smarter about how they do business. "Regulated per-gigabyte fees could make sense," he says. "Icasa might want to consider regulating the market in the same way it regulates call termination rates."

And what about mergers and acquisitions in the telecoms sector? Potgieter thinks it’s time for the Competition Commission to get out of the way. "The Commission is a bit fanciful about the effect these mergers would have on the market," he says. "South Africa has a healthy and competitive telecoms market, and there really is no need to be concerned about mergers, unless it’s Vodacom and MTN that are doing the merging."

So, is a market solution possible without regulatory involvement? "Possibly not, given the asymmetry in bargaining power [between operators and content providers]," Potgieter says. "But it’s time for telcos to get real about their costs and start demanding a fairer deal."

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“Revolutionizing the Way Social Workers Do Their Job: The Western Cape’s Bold New App”

In a shocking move, the Western Cape’s Department of Social Development has unleashed a game-changing app that’s about to shake up the entire social work industry. Dubbed SWIMS (Social Work Integrated Management System), this innovative tool promises to transform the way social workers operate, freeing them from tedious administrative tasks and allowing them to focus on what really matters: helping those in need.

The app, developed in collaboration with the Western Cape premier’s centre for e-innovation, is already making waves among social service practitioners across the province. With SWIMS, social workers can say goodbye to hours of paperwork and hello to streamlined case management, improved monitoring, and enhanced reporting.

But that’s not all. SWIMS is also designed to improve compliance with regulatory frameworks, reduce errors, and automate workflow. And the best part? It can be used offline, making it perfect for social workers who are always on the move.

The Western Cape’s Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, is hailing SWIMS as a “game-changer” that will revolutionize the way social workers do their job. “With SWIMS, we’re not just streamlining processes, we’re freeing up social workers to do what they do best: helping people,” he says.

But don’t just take the minister’s word for it. According to the DSD, SWIMS has already resulted in a whopping 7-minute-per-case saving, with a total of 312,900 minutes saved every month. That’s equivalent to an entire week’s worth of administrative tasks wiped out.

And it’s not just about the numbers. SWIMS has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. As Western Cape Premier Alan Winde notes, “To improve the work our government does for our residents, especially the most vulnerable in society, we must embrace and utilize innovation and technology.”

So what’s next for SWIMS? The DSD is already planning to roll out the app to the non-profit sector and other government departments, including Health and Wellness and Education. And, who knows, maybe one day it’ll be a national phenomenon, transforming the social work industry across the country.

But for now, the Western Cape is taking the lead, and it’s hard to imagine a more exciting development in the world of social work. So, buckle up, folks, because SWIMS is about to change the game!

Smartphones: The Luxury Tax Trap That’s Keeping Africa Behind

As the world moves further into the digital age, the importance of smartphones in bridging the economic gap cannot be overstated. But what’s holding Africa back? It’s not just the lack of infrastructure, but also the crippling luxury taxes imposed on these devices.

The Stranglehold of Ad Valorem Taxes

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has been milking the cellphone industry for billions of rand in ad valorem taxes, a staggering 9% of the device’s value, plus 15% VAT. For a citizen aiming for the cheapest 4G phone available in South Africa today, this means the price could be reduced from R1 000 to as little as R600, making it significantly more affordable. But will the government listen?

The Industry’s Plea for Mercy

Industry lobby group the Association of Comms & Technology, representing the country’s six largest telecommunications operators, has been begging the government to reconsider these taxes. Even the planned meeting between Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may not be enough to break the deadlock.

The Cost of Exclusion

The consequences of not making smartphones more affordable are dire. The South African economy is already struggling to stay afloat, and the exclusion of significant portions of the population from the digital economy is only exacerbating the problem. It’s time for the government to take a closer look at the impact of these taxes and make a change.

The Bottom Line

The ad valorem tax on cellphones is a luxury that South Africa can no longer afford. It’s time for the government to listen to the pleas of the industry and the people and take action to make smartphones more accessible. The future of Africa’s digital economy depends on it.

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Telkom’s Latest Power Play: Meet Mpho McNamee, the New Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

In a bold move, Telkom has appointed Mpho McNamee as its new chief corporate affairs officer, a role that will leave no stone unturned in strengthening the company’s reputation and stakeholder engagement.

The 18-year veteran of the corporate affairs game, McNamee comes to Telkom from Sappi Southern Africa, where she successfully managed the company’s reputation and relationships with its stakeholders. But don’t be fooled – she’s not just a PR expert; she’s a master strategist who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country, including Deloitte Africa, Life Healthcare, and Nedbank.

The Real Deal

Telkom’s CEO, Serame Taukobong, is thrilled to welcome McNamee to the team, acknowledging that her extensive experience and proven track record will be invaluable in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the telecommunications industry.

But here’s the thing: McNamee’s appointment is not just about maintaining a squeaky-clean reputation; it’s about shaping the narrative of Telkom’s success. With her at the helm, Telkom’s corporate communications, public relations, brand management, and regulatory affairs will be amplified to new heights.

The Perfect Storm

As the telecommunications landscape continues to evolve, Telkom faces stiff competition from new entrants and traditional players alike. With McNamee at the helm, Telkom will be well-equipped to fend off the competition and emerge victorious. Her expertise in stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability communication will help the company build strong relationships with its customers, employees, and the broader community.

The Future is Now

In a statement that exudes confidence, McNamee has announced her excitement to join Telkom and contribute her expertise to advancing the company’s mission. "I am incredibly excited to join Telkom at such a pivotal time for the telecommunications industry," she said. "Telkom plays a vital role in connecting South Africans, and I am eager to contribute my experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders and communicating effectively to advance the group’s mission."

Get ready for a new era of bold and fearless leadership at Telkom, folks. With Mpho McNamee at the helm, the future is looking bright indeed!

Google’s Latest Power Play: A Marker of Monopoly

In a move that’s being hailed as a victory for South African businesses, Google has introduced a label that identifies local companies in organic search results. But is this just a clever ploy to maintain its stranglehold on the search market?

The "ZA South African" marker, which has been applied to the search results of several local e-commerce websites, is part of Google’s efforts to comply with the Competition Commission’s remedial actions. But will it actually help smaller businesses compete with the tech giant’s dominance?

According to the Competition Commission’s report, Google’s search engine is a de facto monopoly, accounting for over 90% of all general search across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. And with its strong incentives to engage in self-preferencing behavior, it’s no wonder that smaller businesses struggle to get noticed.

But Google is quick to point out that its new marker is all about giving South African businesses a leg up. "We are introducing new local filter optionality for South African travel and shopping platforms on our search page and dedicated local curation for apps published on the Play store by South African developers," a Google spokesman said.

But will this really make a difference? Or is it just a token gesture to appease the Competition Commission while Google continues to maintain its grip on the market?

The remedial actions recommended by the Competition Commission include introducing a new carousel to give smaller South African platforms more visibility, as well as providing advertising credits and technical training to help them compete. But will these measures be enough to level the playing field?

As the tech giant continues to wield its influence, it’s clear that the battle for online supremacy is far from over. But one thing is certain: Google’s latest move is just the latest chapter in its ongoing struggle for dominance.

Bolt’s Latest Attempt to Keep You Alive: Rider Verification and More Safety Features

Are you tired of getting ripped off or worse, by the people you’re picking up from? Well, Bolt’s got a new trick up its sleeve – Rider Verification. The e-hailing app is rolling out a new feature that requires riders to upload a selfie before they can place an order. Because, who doesn’t love a good selfie?

But that’s not all. Bolt’s also introducing Trip Count and Driver Alerts to keep you safe on the roads. Trip Count gives you an idea of how many trips the rider has taken on the platform, while Driver Alerts flag areas where high volumes of safety incidents have been reported.

But let’s get real, folks. These features are just Band-Aids on a bullet wound. We need real change, real accountability, and real consequences for those who don’t play by the rules.

Bolt’s acting head of regulatory and policy, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, says the new features are part of the company’s ongoing investment in safety features. But we all know that safety is just a PR stunt until there are real consequences for those who break the rules.

So, the next time you’re picking up a ride, remember: you’re not just hailing a taxi, you’re putting your life in the hands of a stranger. Stay safe out there, folks!