CELLULAR connectivity is a lot like sex, it’s no big deal unless you’re not getting any when you want it.
And it seems that MTC has indeed gone celibate. I have a question and it’s a simple one.What is wrong with MTC? I want you to ask yourself these questions: * Why is it that we can’t phone people on Friday evenings, especially at the end of the month? * Why are we paying more today for worse service than we did 4 years ago? * We pay more for our cellular service than most countries in Europe, is then not fitting that we get better service? * Have you ever seen the message Network Busy? * Have you ever heard beep beep beep before a call even goes through? * Have your calls ever been interrupted right in the middle of a conversation with beep beep beep? (imagine this call from your girlfriend “there’s someone in the house, I think he’s got a kni …”beep beep beep…Why are we so happy with such bad service? Here’s what MTC says is the problem.We are sorry but our network is overloaded.Especially at the end of the month when everyone has money to buy credit.So we ask, do I get a discount from you guys then because you are not delivering what you are contractually obligated to do? Guess what their answer is, of course not.And then we simply smile and say: “Ah yes thank you so much …”Imagine you go to a restaurant and order a succulent steak with chips and veggies.When they bring you your food there’s no steak on the plate just chips.When you ask the waiter he simply turns away and says: “Not my problem, it’s end of the month and we have too many people ordering steak so we can’t give you the full meal, we’ve run out, but hey, we’ll try and fix it in a couple of months.”And his buddy adds: “Oh, and by the way, we’ll charge you for the full meal though!” Can you say double waiter homicide? Our cellular service is well, how shall I put it… worse than skydiving with a knapsack on your back instead of a parachute.We are just so used to getting crap service in this country that we have forgotten how to complain.Can you imagine Vodacom telling their clients in SA this story, never.You know why not, because people in SA have a choice and God knows they’ll change to another provider faster than you can say beep beep, frigging beep! According to their customer relations department they are upgrading their system and things will eventually get better.For God’s sake when? By the looks of it human settlers on Mars will have proper cellular connectivity before Namibia.If you can not pay your account, do you get a few months to sort it out? Hell no, you are cut off immediately.Is it fair for them to expect us to just wait and shut up? At the top of this mail I asked ‘what is wrong with MTC’.I think the right question is WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?! Why are we so happy to not only bend over and take it, but to pay for it too? C’mon guys grow a spine and phone MTC’s Head office right now or send them a fax and complain, or even just forward this mail to everyone you know.I hope to get it back 100 times.If you don’t want your voice heard it’s ok, that’s your freedom of choice, but next Friday when you can’t phone because of Network Busy, shut up, bend over and take it without lubrication, because you chose to.To the rest of my brothers and sisters, fight the power!!! I’ve already phoned them twice this week and will continue to do so every week.It’s free to phone from a cell phone.Here are the numbers: Free from contract: 120 Free from tango: 130.Or phone their head office: 2802000 this costs something though.Stay strong Namibia, say ‘no’ to bad service, you deserve betterElina Ashiwa Via e-mailNote: This letter has been shortened – EdI have a question and it’s a simple one.What is wrong with MTC? I want you to ask yourself these questions: * Why is it that we can’t phone people on Friday evenings, especially at the end of the month? * Why are we paying more today for worse service than we did 4 years ago? * We pay more for our cellular service than most countries in Europe, is then not fitting that we get better service? * Have you ever seen the message Network Busy? * Have you ever heard beep beep beep before a call even goes through? * Have your calls ever been interrupted right in the middle of a conversation with beep beep beep? (imagine this call from your girlfriend “there’s someone in the house, I think he’s got a kni …”beep beep beep…Why are we so happy with such bad service? Here’s what MTC says is the problem.We are sorry but our network is overloaded.Especially at the end of the month when everyone has money to buy credit.So we ask, do I get a discount from you guys then because you are not delivering what you are contractually obligated to do? Guess what their answer is, of course not.And then we simply smile and say: “Ah yes thank you so much …”Imagine you go to a restaurant and order a succulent steak with chips and veggies.When they bring you your food there’s no steak on the plate just chips.When you ask the waiter he simply turns away and says: “Not my problem, it’s end of the month and we have too many people ordering steak so we can’t give you the full meal, we’ve run out, but hey, we’ll try and fix it in a couple of months.”And his buddy adds: “Oh, and by the way, we’ll charge you for the full meal though!” Can you say double waiter homicide? Our cellular service is well, how shall I put it… worse than skydiving with a knapsack on your back instead of a parachute.We are just so used to getting crap service in this country that we have forgotten how to complain.Can you imagine Vodacom telling their clients in SA this story, never.You know why not, because people in SA have a choice and God knows they’ll change to another provider faster than you can say beep beep, frigging beep! According to their customer relations department they are upgrading their system and things will eventually get better.For God’s sake when? By the looks of it human settlers on Mars will have proper cellular connectivity before Namibia.If you can not pay your account, do you get a few months to sort it out? Hell no, you are cut off immediately.Is it fair for them to expect us to just wait and shut up? At the top of this mail I asked ‘what is wrong with MTC’.I think the right question is WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?! Why are we so happy to not only bend over and take it, but to pay for it too? C’mon guys grow a spine and phone MTC’s Head office right now or send them a fax and complain, or even just forward this mail to everyone you know.I hope to get it back 100 times.If you don’t want your voice heard it’s ok, that’s your freedom of choice, but next Friday when you can’t phone because of Network Busy, shut up, bend over and take it without lubrication, because you chose to.To the rest of my brothers and sisters, fight the power!!! I’ve already phoned them twice this week and will continue to do so every week.It’s free to phone from a cell phone.Here are the numbers: Free from contract: 120 Free from tango: 130.Or phone their head office: 2802000 this costs something though.Stay strong Namibia, say ‘no’ to bad service, you deserve betterElina Ashiwa Via e-mailNote: This letter has been shortened – Ed
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!







