The phone lines into my building are draped along the side wall in the alley. They're at easy reach. They've been cut at least once in the last five years. Back then the company may have been SBC or Ameritech.
When the lines were repaired after being cut, the line's placement wasn't changed. Some duct tape was applied but that's all.
Whenever it rains or gusts, the DSL will be interrupted. Sometimes it becomes a total service failure for a few hours.
When I phone them to report the problem, the operator always sets up an in home service call. I'm also told that I'll be responsible for any repairs inside my apartment. How inconvenient when the problem is chronic, persistent and outside!
One wonders what it takes for the phone company to recognize the problem and fix it.
This post is the first in a two-part series about 1) the African mobile marketplace and how Africans utilize their mobile phones; and 2) how organizations are using social marketing to reach this highly mobile population for social change. 