Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
Should I cry or laugh? The problems we have had with our phones are just unbelievable. The sad part is this circus happens at least once a year, every year – if not twice. In the past week, as everybody knows we’ve also had some load shedding, and apart from load shedding, we’ve also had most of Johannesburg without electricity for most of Tuesday, for reasons that are not related to load shedding – which of course hardly inspires any extra confidence! If load shedding wasn’t enough, there will be days when you have no power and this time it’s not Eskom but the Johannesburg metro.
If you have been trying to call our offices, you can try 011 7887273 and after 10 days of not working, at least the number in our adverts is once again working as well, namely 0800 ACCIDENT. Unfortunately these numbers are working on a very limited number of lines, so there is still the chance, if you’re dialing us, that you will get an engaged tone. It may be best to email us on [email protected] or to keep trying again on 011 7887273 until you get through. We don’t seem to be able to call out either.
Telkom told us that the problem was that cables were stolen in our area, and once they were put back, they then told us they needed a welder to weld some of the cables together and now that that has apparently been done, they claim that the technician who initially came to our offices, and reported a number out of order, reported the wrong number out of order and so they are going to have to look at that as well. It certainly is challenging doing business against this background of incompetence and thank goodness I took the approach of a backup UPS battery system for the offices (which cost over R200 000), and gives most of my staff an extra 3 or so hours on the computer, before they to lose power as well as a backup internet line and having kept my old phone number and lines. Ultimately, it all just adds tremendous cost to doing business, because almost every form of communication has to be duplicated and backed up with a backup system just top ensure that one way or another we can communicate with clients and other lawyers.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 06-Nov-14
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Comments
A. Le Grange said:
on Tuesday 01-Mar-16 11:04 AM
I reported a fault on my Telkom line on the 18 February and given a ref # 504CTK180216 The problem was that anyone calling to my number got a fax signal (sound) which I could also hear on my side when I picked up my phone,however there are times when the phone functions normally. This problem has not gone away and it has become unacceptable as I run a small business from home and it is impacting negatively.
Marianne said:
on Sunday 18-Oct-15 06:10 AM
My line is of since the 22 of July. I've reported it 3 times and i'm still waiting for a technician! I agree with everyone here,but like sum of you said,Telkom needs opposition!
Karina said:
on Tuesday 15-Sep-15 08:30 AM
I live in Highveld and a telokom pole to which MY landline is not connected in my yard fell over and damaged my sewerage pipe! My neighbours are connected to this pole, after reporting online, phoning 5 times & been to the telkom office i discovered this morning that according to them it is CLOSED, how is it possible pole still wedged in my sewerage pipe .
Tersia said:
on Tuesday 11-Nov-14 08:45 AM
Agree with Elektra. Not surprised at all. We all should be used to this type of service by now, can't understand how some people still expect anything to go right in this country with the people running it.
Sinead said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 04:29 PM
I actually can't believe what is happening to this country. Surely if you go anywhere else in the world, you won't have these problems?
I stand to be corrected though
Alexis said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 11:30 AM
This country is spiraling out of control. You pay so much for everything, water, lights etc and they cannot even give you the service you deserve.
Zindy said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 07:57 AM
Its very frustrating how the service in this country is just going down hill. Paying for services that can not be utilized Not just Telkom but Eskom, the municipalities, service in stores. Everywhere you go!
sheena said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 07:38 AM
The first thing that came to mind when after a week our lines were still faulty ,was that they don't have competition they get business to easy that is why there service is so bad. Its absolutely ridiculous and poor service.
Sarah said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 07:29 AM
We live in a country where they dont have service delivery.I am surprise how long it is taking Telkom to fix the lines and I agree with Patrick we need more companies to give Telkom awake up call.
david said:
on Friday 07-Nov-14 04:01 AM
having given this some serious thought i have come to the conclusion that Telkom & Eskom are conspiring to destroy all businesses in the country. it is the only logical explanation.
Ashleigh said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 04:56 PM
These past nearly two weeks have been a night mare without phones but I am not surprised how long its actually taking to sort out the problem... We had no water for almost a month not long ago and that felt like years. This is what this telephone problem feels like, feels like its been down for years already because of how helpless you actually feel without it. And its actually out of our control to because being angry and being upset doesn't get you service delivery at all either. I always wonder what next but I have to also touch wood on that question.
Lizanne said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 04:51 PM
What's new!!! You have dial 20 times before you maybe get an open line, this is pathetic and no one can take the blame for anything. Why can't they just come together and actually find out where the problem lies with our telkom lines and just get it fixed but no, this one has to blaming that one and that one is blaming someone else. Not even to talk about the power/load shedding during matric exams, est.
Marisa said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 04:31 PM
I just have to say it.. WE LIVE IN THE BEST COUNTRY EVER!!
It is sad to think that no one cares anymore about anyone or anything.
patrick said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 04:31 PM
we need other business players in this market.
then the two state subsidized companies will catch a wake up call
Liesl said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:50 PM
It certainly has been extremely frustrating, my cell phone bill I don't even want to see.
Caron said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:42 PM
Elektra said it all. Emphasizing it, by saying it three times!
Helen said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:14 PM
I have feeling we are all running in the hamster weal, every year just getting more complicated to have at least basics at the working place. Dealing with Telkom was not so great experience either, why Telkom is taking so long time to sort the fault out. And amazing to call Telkom, only after 20 min waiting on the line someone can help you!
Kaylee said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:14 PM
Sigh, that's all, just sigh. My cellphone bill has gone up :( as I cannot stand not being efficient! The power being off in Johannesburg was a joke and incredibly frustrating! So annoying
Mathilda said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:12 PM
Its unbelievable ,but actually this is SA so nothings new always a problem with something and yes we can leave it in Telkoms hands but they take forever and when you phone its the same story. No one has time for that, but what can we do this is how great service delivery is in SA ;)
Brenda said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:11 PM
It has been terribly frustrating not having telephone lines, where you have to cross your fingers and hope that after the 10th time you dial a number you will actually get a line. It is really annoying that Telkom has absolutely no urgency in trying to sort this problem out, and it is upsetting clients and attorneys as well, as we are unable to make or receive calls.
A business definitely cannot run like this, but unfortunately, we are dealing with an incompetent company like Telkom, who have zero interest and could care less that we are having a problem.
Makes you wonder about your previous blog of "Fake Qualifications", and after reading this blog and what Telkom's excuses are, it seems like the technicians don't have a clue what they are doing, because all they do is fiddle with a couple of wires and guestimate the problem.
What more do you expect from South Africa?
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:08 PM
I honestly feel sorry for the small 1 man business. Without the finances to fix other peoples incompetencies can seriously put someone out of business before they even get off the ground.
Nikita said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:08 PM
Extremely frustrating! The problem is most people don't answer emails and one is only able to get an answer out of them through calling! Hopefully this will be sorted out soon!
Cindy said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:07 PM
Excuse after Excuse... Really bad service and so much for customer care.
Sorea said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 03:04 PM
This is terrible service.
Elektra said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 02:17 PM
Nothing new, just the usual disappointment this Country has to offer.
Elektra said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 02:03 PM
Nothing new, just the usual disappointment this Country has to offer.
Elektra said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 02:02 PM
Nothing new, just the usual disappointment this Country has to offer.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 10:16 AM
Its shocking that the service is so bad these day. People are actually doing the best they can. Now it's up to Telkom to solve the problem.
Jade said:
on Thursday 06-Nov-14 09:05 AM
Telkom holds a monopoly and thus they feel they can do whatever they want. There is no competitor to offer us better service, and since we cannot threaten to spend our money somewhere else, we just have to deal with it. It is not good for business and not good for the economy.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
