Great point. My favorite snippet of info is the comparison between cellular technology and fixed-line Telkom.

In the past, government backed Telkom (by giving them a monopoly) to provide connectivity to the masses, and left the cellular companies alone, because it was a "luxury device", not deemed worthy of interference.

What happens? Like you say, Telkom has done absolutely nothing to improve the plight of the people, and the 'free' cellular market (yay capitalism) now provides a brand new, basic cell phone and starter pack for about R350.

Cell technology is the major enabler of communication in rural communities.

Government = crap