RE: lug_: Re: Inter-Operator Call Fees

[Mark Tinka]

Title: Message

From an ISP's perspective, it becomes harder to work with a single operator in UG (in terms of dial-up) for several reasons, but one I find key is that Operator A might have a superior network that ISP thinks is robust, but wouldn't find suitable to Clients A-F because they use Operator B, and inter-operator fees would be a menace.

 

This means you need to support both operators in your NOC, for the sake of costs, instead of redundancy and reliability. This erodes the sheer fabric of raw competition, as competition could be based on your operating costs. Concentration is then focused on balancing both scenarios, rather than selling a product/service to the final user.

 

I beg to ask, what would the impact of a 0/= inter-operator fee between the 3 carriers have on the operations of ISP's, more specifically in the dial sector?

 

How much more penetration, diversity and quality of Internet service would be realised?

 

Note: I've brought in Irene Kaggwa (whom I like to dubb IP Liaison to the UCC :)) of the UCC into the thread, for arguments' sake.

 

Regards,

Mark Tinka
Technical Manager, Africa Online Swaziland

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Patrick Ssesanga
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 12:29 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: lug_: Re: Inter-Operator Call Fees

Of course a 0 tarrif would make a difference. Looking at the environment 2day I must admit that branding plays a much bigger part in attracting customers than just price. I have used all three networks and quality-wise - I hand it to Celtel, probably because there are fewer subscribers.

I think the inter-connection fees have to be regulated and infact enforced by UCC. The problem is that the individuals there might not be 'interested' in doing so. And of course operators such as MTN are using that tariff to block interconnection. You could argue that they are behaving like M$! Since all networks are local UCC can help by insiting that users pay the same for the interconnection as they pay on their network (problem solved). Then let the operators fight their marketing/branding/pricing wars.

I think that's the way to go. It's only UCC that can do the job as I can't see how the operators can agree on that between themselves especially given how some of them exploit the situation.

- ses

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it is like a ping pong game , subscribers move to the cheaper provider  after evaluating price and also customer base.. I dont care about how cheap celtel is, the question would be are all the people i want to talk to on celtel or do i have those extra 100's to pay for calling another network. This has also been a never ending battle ,  a telco wakes up one morning and removes service fee , well and good that will work  and 'MAKE' it seem cheaper but that is not good enough for many people to just switch over. So for something like this to work out , The providers really have to sit down and bump there heads in a conference room till they come to a good agreement.  Everyone is in it to win and make money , so it is just a price war and interconnection plays a big part. Atleast thats what i think .

 

 

 

 

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rgds

 

David Ziggy Lubowa
Customer Support Engineer
Africa Online ( U )

----- Original Message -----

From: Patrick Ssesanga

To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 11:27 AM

Subject: RE: lug_: Re: Inter-Operator Call Fees

I think such a loss would be short term if the strategy works. Think about it this way: With cheaper connection tarrifs from Celtel to other MSPs than the reverse, Celtel attracts more customers to exploit the low tarrif. In the long run the people they are calling on the other networks have crossed over anyway (and you have more intra-Celtel calls than outgoing) and all Celtel have to do is think of a customer retention strategy.

That is the game of business. Woo them, hope they come and if they do find a way of retaining them. It is dicey, but that is one of the strategies they have to attract customers. If you have been to the market you know what I am talking about.

-ses

----Original Message Follows----
From: "David Ziggy Lubowa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: lug_: Re: Inter-Operator Call Fees
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 11:16:18 +0300


Celtel would loose alot of money and there competitors will gain more ,
unless all the telco's sit down and have a basic small interconnection fee.
Besides that it would be too risky to even think about it unless they all
decide at one go and have the same figures across the board. But it would be
good, more minutes would be sold i think .



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rgds

David Ziggy Lubowa
Customer Support Engineer
Africa Online ( U )

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Tinka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 9:59 AM
Subject: lug_: Inter-Operator Call Fees


> I wonder, if CelTel woke up o ne morning and said call charges to other
> operators (UTL, Mango, MTN) were the same as calling another Celtel user
on
> their network, how much would it impact their business, and the business
of
> their competitors?
>
> Regards,
>
> Mark Tinka
> Technical Manager, Africa Online Swaziland
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> This service is hosted on the Infocom network
> http://www.infocom.co.ug
>
>




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