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Johannesburg - Fin24 users have asked why Telkom is only targeting middle to high income areas with its fibre installations.
Telkom announced on Tuesday that 25 areas across the country will have access to a fibre broadband network by the end of September.
READ: Telkom connects 25 more suburbs to fibre
Areas that Telkom is connecting include more upmarket suburbs like River Club, Craighall and Hyde Park in Johannesburg.
Other fibre providers, such as Vumatel, are also only currently targeting upmarket areas like Parkhurst.
In turn, the expansion of fibre networks in South Africa in certain areas by Telkom has elicited varied responses from Fin24 users.
Fin24 user R Cowley wrote:
“Where in Ekurhuleni Metro is fibre installed and available? It seems like only certain ‘privileged’ areas are targeted?”
Fin24 user Chris also wrote:
“Well, first and foremost, Telkom seem to be providing this service only to the higher income areas. Middle and lower income earners are being left out of the loop. Perhaps more private companies should be involved to encourage that lost little thing called competition.”
Fin24 user Tony Roberts also decried a selective fibre roll-out process:
“Telkom is surrounding Waterkloof Glen with high speed services but leaves us connected by waterlogged unreliable snail-pace lines on the old Constantia Park exchange. More shame you, Telkom.”
Fin24 user Mlungisi wrote:
“All these are industrial and privileged white suburbs. Where are the impoverished black excluded townships of uMlazi,Soweto,Gugulethu?This can even help our schools but who am I.”
Fin24 user Lucas wrote:
“I am glad Telkom is advancing at last. However, I find it strange that of all the cities they have listed that have been upgraded to fibre, none is a township. I have raised this issue with them on countless occasions, and their answer has been that I am raising a race issue. It surely is not about race as everyone now lives wherever they want, regardless of race.
Townships are being overlooked by Telkom, but maybe for some reasons only their bosses can answer. I was not being crazy, but raising an opinion.”
