Dear Editor,
I, like many Jamaicans, was caught off guard by the recent announcement that my cable provider Flow has been acquired by Cable and Wireless (CWC), parent company of LIME. I still remember the CWC days -- long waits, bad service and high costs -- and so, like many of you, responded negatively, to put it nicely.
However, having calmed down and caught my breath, I paused to think. When Digicel entered the market there was renewed energy from competition between the giants. This competition saw advertisements on heavy rotation, lots of promotions and discounts for consumers, and a drive to compete on customer service. Everything was about the customer.
In recent years, I have witnessed a slow decline in service from Flow, LIME and Digicel. While the price war is in full swing with LIME and Digicel on cellphone and landline rates this fight hasn't made its way to data costs. The Government and studies have told us about the correlation between access to broadband and GDP growth. Broadband, more than cellphones, provides a platform for innovation, economic growth and job creation. According to the World Bank, broadband can also positively impact workforce productivity, and we know by now how quickly children adjust to technology as it is an effective vehicle for education. So this 'merger' may place some much-needed attention on the issues of broadband access, price and value.
Cable is another area that I am hoping to see a positive change in as a result of this merger. Flow has certainly not reduced its cable costs in recent times, even as it has shrunk its line-up removing all the West Coast fees. It is my sincere wish that this merger will see an expansion in the line-up, possibly more local and Caribbean content and cool innovations that allow me to watch my favourite movies on my mobile devices.
With Flow and LIME topping the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) survey for the customer service category, I would hope and expect to see the Jamaican public benefit from a whole new level of service and indeed see the customer being placed at the heart of the business.
If they can do this, and offer streamlined billing, and I only have to worry about paying one bill for my cellphone, home phone, cable, and Internet at the end of the month this customer will hail the merger as indeed being better value for the consumer and the country.
Rory Haynes
St Catherine
Looking forward to one bill
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I, like many Jamaicans, was caught off guard by the recent announcement that my cable provider Flow has been acquired by Cable and Wireless (CWC), parent company of LIME. I still remember the CWC days -- long waits, bad service and high costs -- and so, like many of you, responded negatively, to put it nicely.
However, having calmed down and caught my breath, I paused to think. When Digicel entered the market there was renewed energy from competition between the giants. This competition saw advertisements on heavy rotation, lots of promotions and discounts for consumers, and a drive to compete on customer service. Everything was about the customer.
In recent years, I have witnessed a slow decline in service from Flow, LIME and Digicel. While the price war is in full swing with LIME and Digicel on cellphone and landline rates this fight hasn't made its way to data costs. The Government and studies have told us about the correlation between access to broadband and GDP growth. Broadband, more than cellphones, provides a platform for innovation, economic growth and job creation. According to the World Bank, broadband can also positively impact workforce productivity, and we know by now how quickly children adjust to technology as it is an effective vehicle for education. So this 'merger' may place some much-needed attention on the issues of broadband access, price and value.
Cable is another area that I am hoping to see a positive change in as a result of this merger. Flow has certainly not reduced its cable costs in recent times, even as it has shrunk its line-up removing all the West Coast fees. It is my sincere wish that this merger will see an expansion in the line-up, possibly more local and Caribbean content and cool innovations that allow me to watch my favourite movies on my mobile devices.
With Flow and LIME topping the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) survey for the customer service category, I would hope and expect to see the Jamaican public benefit from a whole new level of service and indeed see the customer being placed at the heart of the business.
If they can do this, and offer streamlined billing, and I only have to worry about paying one bill for my cellphone, home phone, cable, and Internet at the end of the month this customer will hail the merger as indeed being better value for the consumer and the country.
Rory Haynes
St Catherine
Looking forward to one bill
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