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Anarchy Brings Low Telecom Prices In Somalia
AlanKHG writes "As Somalia has been without a government for 13 years, its telecom market has gone unregulated. In that time, the service has become some of the best in Africa. On the other hand, some of the downsides of a society without government are visible, as the country is divided by warring factions and the roads have gone completely unmaintained."
So you are saying I should start shooting up the neighborhood if I am fed up with my craptacular phone company?
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Not to sound pompous, but is this really that high of a standard? I'm not trolling, I just really don't know.
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Somalia can be considered several regions. Somaliland (western Somalia) considers itself a seperate country and maintains a working government (working by the standards of a 3rd world African nation). Puntland also maintains some rule of order (not as much as Somaliland, it seems), but considers itself a part of Somalia, and wants to see the creation of a federated Somalia. The southwest portion of Somalia is what we would consider to be the anarchistic Somalia, with small regions being held by whoever can collect guns and followers. In addition, in southwest Somalia is Mogadishu, which is partially controlled by the transitional gov't. (For those counting, that's three named governments/regions (Somaliland, Puntland, the transitional gov't/Mogadishu) and a good chunk of the country run by local warlords.)
So which part are we talking about? The (mostly unrecognized by the world at large, relatively stable) country of Somaliland, the (somewhat stable) autonomous region of Puntland, or the rest of Somalia?
Good telecom in Somaliland and Puntland wouldn't be an example of a telephone system in an anarchistic land. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if a powerful warlord with a large holding had decent telecom service.
TFA gives me the impression that the researcher is only talking about Mogadishu, which, from what I can tell, is just outside of the territory that Puntland claims, but still within its sphere of influence, with parts controlled by the transitional government of Somalia. Mogadishu wasn't stable during the US Military action there a decade ago, and googling, I find articles about kidnappings and murders. At the same time, I find an article which implies that southern Mogadishu is more stable than northern Mogadishu.
I'd be impressed if the telecoms stayed working in areas which were under true anarchy and lawlessness. I'd be less impressed if the telecoms are opperating in and from areas where a particular warlord or government is strong.
In any case, my google refresher on Somalia gives me no urge to live under anarchy, regardless of the benefits. The natives of Somalia seem to agree with me -- even the telecoms want to pay taxes, if it means a stable gov't.
On the other hand, some of the downsides of a society without government are visible, as the country is divided by warring factions and the roads have gone completely unmaintained.
To make telecomunication work is a direct interest of the company, as it will turn into imediate profit. But no single entity has direct interest or responsability over the maintainence of the roads.
But I'm sure many companies that depends on the roads are suffering from the situation. The natural behaviour would be that these companies would form a group to get resources to take care of the roads. It's their indirect interest, and it's a common good, so the action naturally will take longer, but it will happen. Isn't that how anarchy is supposed to work?
some of the downsides of a society without government are visible, as the country is divided by warring factions and the roads have gone completely unmaintained."
Awww too bad. Wouldn't wanna point out something that supports life without government control. Maybe if you enjoy torture for some reason; otherwise not. But yipes! Warring factions? Can't they just peacefully join forces and obliterate countries with oil like real nations do?
For cripes sake they need to join another country before they're all spontaneously killed by the lack of murderous politicians like the school system says to believe. Come on, they'll love it. It's freedom; we're all free. I mean except for the whole "everyone's in prison, in psychological torture, funding nuclear doomsday devices with taxes and killing each other" thing, but that's a small price to pay for well-maintained roads.
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They say that a great many problems in the world are caused by lack of communications. According to the article, when the fighting first broke out, all the systems including (must have not been working well) communications broke down completely. This version of "The Silent Treatment" did not go over well, and so communications companies were able to form and function and not be bothered by the combatants. As a result, GOOD communications has apparently (finally?) given the political enemies opportunities to talk out differences. Quote from article: "Somalia's previous governments have kept taxes low and hopes this will continue under the regime due to start work in the coming months." COOL!
It is not surprising that it takes only three days to install a land line. Service is good if phone use is a privilege of the filthy rich. Prices may be very low by international standards, but most Somalis are very, very poor. The number of phones is very low, the users are rich, and the employees of the phone company earn very little compared to the users. They can afford to appoint a guy who will work fulltime to install the land line immediately.
If the next government of Somalia is a socialist government, the exact same service by the same people will suddenly be very bad because everyone will have a right to a phone for an affordable price.
Have you seen the caption under the picture? It says "Somalis send e-mails in their own language". That is informative, isn't it?
No regulation, three telecomms companies managed by what is probably a collusion monopoly, civil strife, no taxes, crumbling physical infrastructure, cheap labor, clannish minimally industrialised society, and a chance to live the bwana lifestyle?
Woohoo! I'm off! Got my ticket already. I'm sick up to here with bleeding regulatory commissions rate findings. No more of this namby-pamby court-mandated be-a-nice-telco manure. I could get some REAL billing done there, let me tell you. Probably none of those pesky monetary exchange rules, either. Want that cell phone? Well, then fast up with it, son, in hard currency or goods. I'm not picky...
*whup* "Get along, little electrons. Heeyah!"
Like you said, "by Western standards." Perhaps a better question for you to ask is why you insist on applying Western standards to the African continent.
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If it's cellular-based, that ought to make it much less expensive, reliable, and easier to extend then if they are laying and maintaining cables to homes and businesses.
Yea Anarchy? Somalia has great telecom? Um, sort of misses the big picture.
This is rediculous. Who cares about how expensive your phone bill is when you have to use all the money you're saving to buy guns to protect your children?
A Libertarian paradise, that is. It sounds like the free market is working well in Somalia, bringing high quality service at low prices. The crime and violence problems can be easily solved in the way that our own NRA champions here in the US. With more gun ownership, including unrestricted ownership and concealed carrying of handguns, the criminals and thugs will think twice before commiting a crime.
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On the other hand, some of the downsides of a society without government are visible, as the country is divided by warring factions and the roads have gone completely unmaintained.
what the libertarian perspective is on Somalia?
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Well at least they can pick up the phone... and call someone who cares!
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Does that include Western standards of civilization and behavior, because I sure don't see it in Africa. Infant rape, Machette genocide, cutting off childrens arms, etc. The point is that Africas problems are self inflicted and I am just trying to figure out WHY it is the way it is.
service after the gun-luggers do the phone mugging. I won't insist that they finish out the contract, unlike some wireless marketing execs I know.
*whup* "Get along, little electrons. Heeyah!"