Telkom unveils uncapped broadband offering

Embattled telecommunications operator Telkom on Friday unveiled its unrestricted internet product range tailored towards evening usage.

Joining Telkom’s Do Broadband portfolio, the Do Uncapped range included Do Uncapped 384 kbps; Do Uncapped 1Mbps and Do Uncapped 4Mbps.

Prices for the various products ranged between R371 and R2 510 per month.

Telkom said its move into the uncapped product market came after concluding intensive market research and data usage trials. It said that the research indicated that increased data volumes were top of the consumers mind, and was further prioritised over data speeds.

Steven White, Telkom executive for converged business services, said: “Telkom has observed industry trends and analysed data usage patterns to develop an uncapped product that delivers a quality and sustainable service.”

White noted that while Telkom was not the first to market with an uncapped product the company had taken the time to develop a product that ensured responsible, fair and balanced data consumption.

To this end Do Uncapped 384kbps and Do Uncapped 1Mbps was subject to certain daytime speed restrictions outlined in TelkomInternet’s Acceptable Use Policy.

However, Do Uncapped 4Mbps was offered without any restrictions.

“The products have been designed for home users that traditionally are away from home during the day, who instead spend time online in the evening mostly,” said White.

“The Acceptable Usage Policy is designed to ensure that all consumers enjoy a quality online experience,” he added.

“Meeting our consumer’s expectations for data usage today remains our priority, however the Company remains equally committed to innovating towards the demands of tomorrow,” concluded White.

On Thursday Telkom advised that its headline earnings per share from continuing operations for the six months ending September 2011 were expected to be at least 40% lower than previously.

The group announced normalised headline earnings per share from continuing operations of 265.7 cents in 2010.

“The decrease is mainly attributable to the losses incurred by the mobile business,” it said in a statement.—I-Net Bridge