The telecommunications company is eyeing the media once again as content becomes one of its key business areas. "We are working actively and engaging with content aggregators around the world‚" Maseko said.
He confirmed that Telkom's management is reviewing the company's operations in an effort to cut costs and return the company to profitability. Telkom's new strategy could see the company implement its convergence programme‚ which includes providing high-speed broadband that will allow the group to offer voice and data services as well as mobile‚ fixed-line and video services on demand.
"We will be bringing more solutions to customers in their homes. I foresee a future where for about R700 or less you might have unlimited voice‚ data and more than 1‚000 videos to download at much faster speeds‚" he said.
Maseko said Telkom is investing billions of rand in upgrading its network to bring fibre-optic cables to homes.
As a result of the investments‚ it is unlikely that it will allow other operators to have direct access to its infrastructure. The regulator has proposed that Telkom companies to have access to its telephone exchanges linking businesses and household premises in a process called local loop unbundling.
However, Maseko said companies should invest in their own telephone exchanges.
"We are the only company that is investing heavily with the full knowledge that prices will come down while other entities - for example in the power industry - are investing as well but still ask for price hikes‚" he said.
"There is a belief that we got this (infrastructure) for free. Telkom paid for the network‚" he said. "We want everyone to invest and build their own network. We cannot subsidise the industry‚" said Maseko.
With regard to subsidiaries such as Internet service provider iWayAfrica‚ Maseko said while no decision had been taken on any of the company's subsidiaries‚ if a need arose‚ Telkom could look at partnerships with companies disciplined in managing investments‚ such as private equity partners.
Regarding future investment in Telkom Mobile‚ Maseko said he could not comment at this stage as the company was in a closed period ahead of the release of its interim results on 18 November. However‚ he said Telkom would continue to offer mobile solutions and services.
Telkom has previously said it aimed to reduce risks in the loss-making mobile business after spending billions to set it up in 2010. There is some speculation that Telkom could enter into a partnership with a third party‚ but the form of that partnership is still being discussed.
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
