Abuse of monopoly on broadband for household

THE government announced a drop of 35% in Internet access.

Internet access is very expensive in Mauritius and I had been saving my hard earned money for a MyT 256 kbps subscription of Rs 862.50 ( VAT Inclusive) per month ( unlimited access). I was thrilled to the government’s announcement and looked forward in saving some money and also to see more of my friends get broadband access.

However I note that Mauritius Telecom/ Orange is making an abusive use of its monopoly by imposing exorbitant Internet rates to its subscribers.

As a matter of fact, instead of Internet access becoming cheaper, it has become more expensive in March 2009.

Whereas with the drop by 35% in Internet access, I was expecting the 256 kbps package to drop from Rs 862.50 per month to some Rs 550 VAT Inclusive per month ( unlimited access), I am appalled and disgusted to learn from the Mauritius Telecom MyT website ( http:// www. mauritiustelecom. com/ myt/ broadband. html) that the 256 kbps package has simply been scrapped ( phased out).

Existing subscribers have been upgraded to a 512 kbps package and new subscribers will have same minimum option.

To add insult to injury, the subscription has increased from Rs 862.50 to Rs 999.00 ( VAT inclusive). That is an increase of 16%. Sir, kindly understand that I and most of the Mauritians would like to subscribe to the cheapest broadband connection and in fact, each of us according to our budget, should get options of 64, 128, 256 or more kbps.

Personally, I feel I am being robbed, as an unlimited broadband of 128 kbps would have sufficed for my needs.

But there are no options being offered and as I cannot find the extra Rs 140 to satisfy the unscrupulous hunger of Mauritius Telecom and its Frenchie Partner, I will have no option than to terminate my MyT subscription.

I also draw to your attention that since the beginning Internet access has never dropped in Mauritius. Mauritius Telecom and its French Partner have always been using the same tactics, that is upgrading the broadband speed and maintaining or increasing higher access fees.

Thus we have witness the scrapping of 64 kbps in favour of 128 kbps, then to 256 kbps and now to 512 kbps.

I sincerely hope that ICTA would be in a position to instill some sense, if not, some Corporate Social Responsibility to Mauritius Telecom / Orange and to take strict actions agains such abuse.

Roopnarain SEMBHOO Subscriber to MyT 256 kbps on line 2452403.

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