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AS predicted, the people of PNG have
been denied proven cheap and quality telephone access to the rest of the
world. The government will have a hard time convincing the tens of
thousands of Digicel users that the continuation of Telikom’s
international monopoly is in their interests. *** “GOOD” morning rather stretches the reality. The government’s alleged commitment to privatisation now stands revealed as the same old-monopolistic tunnel-vision. The “staged competition” outlined is nothing but a device to ensure that Telikom remains a reliable cash cow for government milking. The irony is that the PNG public will help Telikom boost income by a return to outrageous international telephone charges. *** AND what of the future of B Mobile; now that it is presumably entitled to share Telikom’s “exclusive international gateway rights”, it would appear to be effectively cocooned against any competition. Will any prospective B Mobile buyer also operate cocooned from market place competition that would prompt quality service or cheaper rates? Will any buyer share Telikom’s immunity – or will the idea of selling B Mobile evaporate like the morning mists? *** NOT bad – Digicel creates a revolution of huge benefit to the people of PNG but a government-owned telecommunications network with a decades-long record of dubious standards of performance and service is set to reap hefty benefits. *** WHEN the dust settles, what will the people of PNG have gained? We suggest they will lose much. We have been endlessly assured that Telikom “belongs to the people of PNG”. What benefits have the people of PNG reaped from that ownership to date and what dividends will it provide for them in the future? *** NAME an ingredient that you would be confident of finding in a biscuit called a “butter cracker?” Made in PNG by a major manufacturer, the new biscuit lists the products used to make the “butter cracker”. They are “wheat flour, vegetables shortening, sugar, salt, baking powder, water added flavours and colouring”. Er … bata istap wea? Must be an economy measure – butter your own cracker. That’s show-biz! *** DESPITE all the gloom we dare to wish you a great weekend – things can only get better. Cheers! |
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| - Dee Nesenolis | |
| Editorial | |
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