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Ethiopian Organizations Voice Frustration at Ethio-Telecom

Ethiopian based organizations including money transfer agents, embassies and other enterprises dependent on internet and related operations voiced frustration at the services they receive from Ethio Telecom services.

The Ethio Telecom customers complained against the weak internet services in particular.

Complaints were heard at the event commemorating Ethio-Telecom’s Second Enterprise Customers Day on Wednesday.

The event held at the Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel had 350 participants from diverse organizations including foreign missions, the UN, the AU and money transferring agents.

Participants expressed their frustrations and stressed the need for improved telecom services in the country.  

Slow internet connectivity has forced some internet dependent enterprises such as Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Shipping Lines to resort to Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT).

The Ministry of Information and Communication issued a directive allowing some internet dependent enterprises to use VSAT following complaints of frequent disruption in internet connectivity.  

The VSAT system mainly utilizes satellites and is slower than the broadband service, which uses fiber optics, the latest technology in the telecom sector.

Enterprises that utilize VSAT are expected to use the technology to operate their own activities. They are prohibited from giving service to other parties using their VSAT technology according to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.   

Source: The Reporter