ICT is expensive and lacks quality - Tweya
Information and communication technology (ICT) services and products are expensive and lack quality, said ICT minister, Tjekero Tweya.
Opening the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Conference on Wednesday, Tweya said business for small and medium entities in the region is hampered by the high costs.
“Roaming costs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are high, while your small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose offices and work places are their mobile phones, are suffering because of the exorbitant roaming charges.”
Namibia is rated as the third most expensive in the region, according to the 2010 Namibian Telecommunication Sector Performance Review that compared the value of short message services (SMSs).
“The industry must connect customers wherever they are in SADC and beyond at affordable rates,” said Tweya.
He emphasised that customer expectations are not static and change daily, which makes it imperative for ICT network operators and service providers to stay ahead and on top of their game.
Tweya highlighted that the traditional service quality management, which mainly focused on the quality of services, no longer appeals to network operators.
Now, he said, there is a demand for service providers to take customers' perception into consideration.
He advised ICT network operators and services providers to expand their business to remote areas instead of aiming at a few customers living in urban areas only.
“The buying power lies in the hands of the vast majority living in the remote rural areas and these are the people who can guarantee your business sustainability.”
Tweya said the conference comes at a robust and exciting time when funds are increasingly becoming a scarce commodity for all sectors of the economy, however it should not be flagged as an excuse to further deprive the people of southern Africa from quality telecommunication services and breakthrough customer experiences in ICT.
NAMPA
Opening the Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Conference on Wednesday, Tweya said business for small and medium entities in the region is hampered by the high costs.
“Roaming costs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are high, while your small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose offices and work places are their mobile phones, are suffering because of the exorbitant roaming charges.”
Namibia is rated as the third most expensive in the region, according to the 2010 Namibian Telecommunication Sector Performance Review that compared the value of short message services (SMSs).
“The industry must connect customers wherever they are in SADC and beyond at affordable rates,” said Tweya.
He emphasised that customer expectations are not static and change daily, which makes it imperative for ICT network operators and service providers to stay ahead and on top of their game.
Tweya highlighted that the traditional service quality management, which mainly focused on the quality of services, no longer appeals to network operators.
Now, he said, there is a demand for service providers to take customers' perception into consideration.
He advised ICT network operators and services providers to expand their business to remote areas instead of aiming at a few customers living in urban areas only.
“The buying power lies in the hands of the vast majority living in the remote rural areas and these are the people who can guarantee your business sustainability.”
Tweya said the conference comes at a robust and exciting time when funds are increasingly becoming a scarce commodity for all sectors of the economy, however it should not be flagged as an excuse to further deprive the people of southern Africa from quality telecommunication services and breakthrough customer experiences in ICT.
NAMPA
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