Opinion / Columnist
Telecel broadband users frustrated by inefficient service
08 Apr 2014 at 13:16hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's second largest Marketing Excellency award winning wireless mobile network operator, Telecel has its internet subscribers discontented at the slow speed to accessing the internet. Telecel Broadband users are worrisome at this continued inefficient service delivery by the operator.
Speed tests conducted showed that Telecel was the slowest at internet access. 'We are so worried that Telecel is doing nothing to rectify the problem and we are losing business and value for money is at stake,' said one anonymous subscriber dejectedly.
Other users of Telecel Broadband said there was need for mobile operators to first upgrade their network systems before embarking on huge projects like this.
Speaking to this reporter another dissatisfied user said, 'I hardly enjoy the value for my money and even though we were attracted by Telecel's low tariffs we are trapped because we can't access the internet that fast.'
Telecel recently signed a joint broadband equipment support deal for its new plug and play Huawei E303 HSPA USB 3G Network Stick made by Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd based in Longgang, Shenzhen in The People's Republic Of China.
'The most frustrating thing is that the USB Stick is programmed to work in compatibility with Telecel products only. It would have been better if it was universal so I could at least use it with other rival broadband providers like NETONE and ECONET Zimbabwe. Right now it means this USB is a liability and no longer an asset to me,' said another disgruntled user.
The Huawei Telecel 3G Broadband Network Stick is a locked product to the Telecel Network and can only be used with a Telecel SIM card. It is compatible with old Microsoft versions like XP SP2/SP3, Windows Vista SP1/SP2, and the more recent Windows 7. It has a display resolution of 800 X 600 or above and boasts of a standard USB interface.
10MB of data is currently pegged at an astronomical US$1.00 and valid for 30 days. The tariffs are crafted with the idea of profit-making in mind.
'We have no option but are forced to buy a data bundle of 80MB at US$3.00. The crazy thing is that after sacrificing all my wallet savings I log onto the net but can't access my websites that easily. Even sending an e-mail is painfully slow.' retorted another frustrated Telecel broadband user.
Competition is likely to heighten in Zim's wireless broadband sector as new players are set to enter the block.
Telecel's Huawei 3G USB Network Stick package comes with 300MB of data which expires after 30 days from the day of purchase. At present it is pegged at US$25.00.
Telecel has recently launched a big fundraising campaign aimed at generating funds to help the Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims. Subscribers may SMS the word 'TOKWE' to 100 and a donation of 10c will automatically be made towards Zim's recent flood victims.
Efforts to get an official comment from Telecel Zimbabwe's General Manager were, however, fruitless.
Source - Maxwell Teedzai
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