Internet providers are cheating Ugandans
IT is unfortunate, the days of ‘there is internet everywhere’ are ending. We tend to imagine the internet access is unlimited as long as you can get online.
Benjamin Mutebi
IT is unfortunate, the days of ‘there is internet everywhere’ are ending. We tend to imagine the internet access is unlimited as long as you can get online.
To me it is wrong because mobile phone operators and internet service providers (ISPs) are increasingly dictating on how much web you get for your money. Instead of paying monthly for unlimited access, this new model charges for a chunk of connectivity bundle.
Bulk data transfer in form of data files, voice over IP, music and movies over a web connection can add up fast, drying up a monthly data package in no time. To put it in perspective, you could watch about 15 hours of streaming a YouTube video on your phone or tablet before bumping up against a monthly 3GB data ceiling.
All ISPs in Uganda have various types of connection bundles that are charged differently and this is fine once the consumer is fully connected to what they pay for. On the contrary, a number of ISPs act to the contrary and looks like Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) is not doing enough to regulate their operations to protect the consumer.
I purchased a dongle from one of the mobile operators and I have monitored its performance both within Kampala and upcountry and it is disappointing. All the times I subscribe for connectivity, I access internet for close to 50% before the subscription period expires instead of the 100% connectivity.
ISPs usually talk about ‘shared’ and ‘dedicated’ bundles, which, I think, is a language used to cheat consumers. And once you ask for the difference between the two types, no one has a clear technical explanation. Can UCC help to address this?
ISPs usually insist on offering prepaid services but then what happens if a customer does not get the desired and agreed package? UCC as the governing body has a big role to play in terms of sensitising internet consumers such that they can be protected.
I have also noted that there are ISPs in Uganda which are charging annual licence fees from internet consumers. These fees are usually high but of what benefit are they to the consumer and are they in line with the law? Be critical on your bill and seek knowledge about the various data bundles as you might not know you have hit the ceiling.
Just like UCC is endeavouring to educate Ugandans about digital migration, they should also check on Internet monitoring to protect Ugandans.
To the ISPs, you need to address the issue of value for money.
The author is an M&E specialist
IT is unfortunate, the days of ‘there is internet everywhere’ are ending. We tend to imagine the internet access is unlimited as long as you can get online.
To me it is wrong because mobile phone operators and internet service providers (ISPs) are increasingly dictating on how much web you get for your money. Instead of paying monthly for unlimited access, this new model charges for a chunk of connectivity bundle.
Bulk data transfer in form of data files, voice over IP, music and movies over a web connection can add up fast, drying up a monthly data package in no time. To put it in perspective, you could watch about 15 hours of streaming a YouTube video on your phone or tablet before bumping up against a monthly 3GB data ceiling.
All ISPs in Uganda have various types of connection bundles that are charged differently and this is fine once the consumer is fully connected to what they pay for. On the contrary, a number of ISPs act to the contrary and looks like Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) is not doing enough to regulate their operations to protect the consumer.
I purchased a dongle from one of the mobile operators and I have monitored its performance both within Kampala and upcountry and it is disappointing. All the times I subscribe for connectivity, I access internet for close to 50% before the subscription period expires instead of the 100% connectivity.
ISPs usually talk about ‘shared’ and ‘dedicated’ bundles, which, I think, is a language used to cheat consumers. And once you ask for the difference between the two types, no one has a clear technical explanation. Can UCC help to address this?
ISPs usually insist on offering prepaid services but then what happens if a customer does not get the desired and agreed package? UCC as the governing body has a big role to play in terms of sensitising internet consumers such that they can be protected.
I have also noted that there are ISPs in Uganda which are charging annual licence fees from internet consumers. These fees are usually high but of what benefit are they to the consumer and are they in line with the law? Be critical on your bill and seek knowledge about the various data bundles as you might not know you have hit the ceiling.
Just like UCC is endeavouring to educate Ugandans about digital migration, they should also check on Internet monitoring to protect Ugandans.
To the ISPs, you need to address the issue of value for money.
The author is an M&E specialist