DEAR Editor;
While we all know that Telkom is in decline, in the 039 area this decline seems terminal.
While individuals and businesses have migrated to cellphones, this has caused another problem.
There is a serious and long-term connection fault: cellphones do not seem to connect to 039 numbers.
Repeatedly one gets the message ‘this number does not exist’ while it very much does exist.
I can’t believe that I am the only one who has phoned these numbers to get – regularly – this message.
The economy is bad enough with Covid-19 and I can see businesses being potentially ruined after several customers have been told the business doesn’t exist, and obviously don’t go on trying.
I am also not sure why Telkom maintain a branch here, as they give no service.
I applied for a land-line a year or so ago, before I realised that the system was failing.
The following is a summary of the conversation:
Me: Can I apply for a landline please?
Telkom: We are not installing landlines.
Me: But there was a phone here and the cable exists; and the neighbours have phones.
Telkom: We are not installing landlines.
Me: Why?
Telkom: We will install a completely new system.
Me: When?
Telkom: I don’t know.
Me: Can I put my name down?
Telkom: We do not keep a waiting list.
Me: Then how will I know?
Telkom: You can always phone and ask.
Since then I hear that fibre companies are riding to the rescue like the sheriff in the kids’ movies. This will of course mean the end of landlines.
DR RALPH WORTLEY
Ramsgate
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
