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."

Comments

Re:"Some of the Best Service in Africa?"

[Amadodd]

3 days for a phone line is exceptional in Africa and 10$ flatrate for local phone calls is unheard of. Down here in South Africa we have arguably the best communications network in Africa, run by what has recently become on of the worst companies in this country. Look at 4-6 weeks for a residential installation and a 12$US? subscription fee afterwards(no call included). They have been raping the SA consumer to the tune of R4billion + yearly for the past few years. We fortunately are about to see an about turn come Feb 2005, when deregulation kicks in. I think our telecoms future lies in small operators like this. They will probably consolidate into bigger companies, but nothing drives prices down like competition. I hope that that Ivy or ICASA is seeing this and can go and learn from the Somalis.