what constitutes good service

It may be a long list but if I were drawing it up, then there are three things that in my opinion I would have near the top of that list of "we don't know, what we don't know." So in no particular order, just like the results of a beauty pageant:

1. What good public transportation feels like;
2. What constitutes good service and;
3. Controversially, what it feels like to be safe in our own environment.

These things maybe as a direct or indirect result of our political past which includes isolation and economic disparity, our geographic location and our culture which is hard to define but something which I am hoping that you'll nod and say, "I know what you mean."

Good public transportation and safety we'll save for another day, it is Friday after all, and all that I want to do today is throw my gadgets out of the 'pad' because I got such atrocious service from big-bad-telecommunications - 'please press 1 to return to the main menu, if you have heard this one before.'

Almost 24 months ago I decided to buy-into mobile data technologies. This was linked to the work that I was doing at the time and also tied into my strong desire of not having a landline in the abode. So when a certain, Telecoms company launched the first 3-g (3rd generation) data card service, I did some investigation and then decided to take the plunge. A plunge that was not without expense and teething but all in all I was pleased with the outcome, particularly so when the service provider got the drivers that "spoke" to the devices, which in turn lead to greater "stability."

Now being the first data provider, I knew that I had to make peace with some of their monopolistic indulgences, like: the inability to check data balances, the inability to buy ad-hoc data bundles and their reluctance to "roll-over" any surplus or unused data that may have accrued in the month.

Clearly, "we don't know what we don't know" because had this company tried this in many other geographies it would have gone bang, and in Asia it would probably have ended up in the cut-make-and-trim industry because it wouldn't have been able to 'cut' it in the Telecommunications industry.

So bad service is not only about the after sales service but also the arrogance of bringing a bad product offering to the market.

Still 'pioneers' have to put up with a little pooh which is what I did and now the market is maturing and other technologies will soon invade this space, look out for "wireless;" "Wimax" and maybe even "satellite" which will increase your options and potentially drive better service. But that discussion like good public transportation and safely is for another day.

Today, 22 months later, I was ready to sign an extension thinking that similar to upgrading voice, there must be something in it for me, what am I going to get in return for being trapped in an expensive data conundrum? According to 'something'-com nothing!

Nothing for signing on for another 24 months at R500 pm minimum. What about a new phone or something else by way of promotion - not nothing but arrogant bad service, from helpdesk to sales agent when I enquire.

I haven't yet given them my "feedback" but I shall, I do believe in complaining and I do believe in writing it down but not when I am annoyed, let the annoyance pass, I don't want to be accused of being emotional as well, but I shall seductively make the point by informing them of their oversight and of the fact that I intend moving to the competition, who are not yet as good but who are "recruiting" and Christmas is a good time for product recruiting and freebie incentives.

So that was my Friday, no fish or frivolity just yet, just five minutes of complaint.

Here's wishing you a bon weekend, be safe and take care.