I never thought that I would ever find any telecommunications company anywhere that was worse than Costa Rica’s state owned company called ICE, the Costa Rican Institute for everything electrical (probably including the static electricity you generate by shuffling your feet on the carpet). ICE is responsible for electrical power, telephones, cellular telephones, Internet and who knows what else.
I thought I had found the nadir in state owned company performance when ICE announced that the number of incoming calls to their ADSL helpline had dropped by 85% over the previous month—it turns out that it was only because they had changed the helpline number and not told anyone.
Over the last 5 days ANTEL managed to sink even below the abysmal standards of ICE. A whole area of the city, including our offices had their telephones and Internet connections turned off for 5 days without any real prior warning. I admit, there was a recorded announcement left on our answering machine several hours after our office closed last Wednesday night informing us that everything would be turned off Thursday as of 8 a.m—90 minutes before our offices open. Of course, we didn’t find out about it until nothing worked when the office opened at 9:30 a.m.
This is the single most reckless, incompetent, uncaring, clueless and stupid act I have ever seen committed by any telecommunications monopoly! With out prior warning they shut down all kinds of businesses because they are “recabling the area”.
Firstly, their “recabling” should’ve been done from midnight until dawn, instead of during the business day. But they were too lazy for that.
Secondly, had they given at least one or two business days notice, we could’ve made alternative arrangements. But they were too thoughtless to do that.
Thirdly, despite numerous calls to Supervisors, NO ONE at ANTEL would give us any information. Because they were too uncaring to do even that.
The very worst thing about all this is that is was not due to an accident, but was a planned event—a deliberate and reckless outage without taking into account its contractual obligations or the impact of this action on the people whose service has evaporated…
I wonder how many future jobs were lost for Uruguay because of ANTEL’s actions. How many people or companies were considering Uruguay and were appalled by ANTEL’s reckless and indefensible behavior?
Had it happened while I was considering moving here I would have stricken Uruguay from the list!
The biggest single hindrance to the development of Uruguay’s economy is the incompetents in government and state-owned companies who prevent business development by their appallingly shortsighted and self-indulgent behavior!
I wonder how long the people of Uruguay will tolerate this kind of thing.
I am certainly sure I will NOT tolerate it!
David,
Is there some way to take this shameful experience to the highest levels in government and/or Antel. It is exactly the kind of thing that should showcase why it is difficult for entrepreneurial energy to be attracted to Uruguay. As we both know, changes are needed. Those in the power positions need to have this specific example thrust into their consciousness.
Can your lawyers or other connections you’ve made help?
The key point here is that the shutdown was known in advance and yet no effective communication was provided to business owners in the area. It would not have been at all difficult to have transmitted their message of intent several days earlier. This is a management issue. The larger issue is the indifference. That is the issue this sorry episode should be able to illustrate to someone who can actually think and who has some power.
Syd
Left by syd on April 1st, 2008
David,
Is there some way through the connections you have, perhaps your lawyers, to be able to communicate this sorry episode to higher levels in either the government or Antel than you have been able to do so far? It seems that would be the only positive that could be gained. Namely, to draw enough important attention to the matter to at least get dialogue on such matters. It is incredibly important to fostering an environment favourable to future entrepreneurial efforts locating in Uruguay.
The arrogance of Antel in deciding not to notify customers until the last minute, particularly business customers, is not justified. As you have noted, the plan to replace existing cables, was already known well in advance of their notification. It would take only a modicum of intelligence to realize shutting off the cable access for five days might have a significant financial impact on some customers. While the actual timing of the notification is a management problem, the idea that customers are not important enough to warrant more concern is a far greater problem.
Only acceptance by government officials of a need to change and pressure from those officials downward will create a change. Perhaps your unfortunate circumstances will be a most illustrative example. Perhaps something positive for the future can be attained.
Syd
Left by syd on April 1st, 2008
I can certainly appreciate some of your feelings. We recently returned from an extended stay in Swaziland. I would get soooo mad at those business people, but they wouldn’t change. I finally decided that it wasn’t worth it and it wasn’t working, so we came back to Illinois and endured the remainder of the winter.
If you look down a few postings, David, you obtained something that you couldn’t receive anywhere else, and that was help for your body. Maybe that isn’t enough to compensate for this stunt, but it surely must be worth a lot.
Just something to think about.
Loggy
>>The improvement in my health is priceless and I have written a great deal about how great the medical care is here. in fact, I have written a great deal about how wonderful almost everything is here. My question to you is this: Would you have me lie through omission about the bad things here and lure people to Uruguay where their businesses could be destroyed by ANTEL’s incompentance? Would that be better for Uruguay? Would that be better for the people who suffer losses?
I have thought about it at length–perhaps you should think about it some more…
The Southron
Left by Loggy on April 1st, 2008
David,
As historian of the Uruguayan state, I can only assure you that this tendency to do what’s best on their own schedule, not necessarily for their constituents, hasn’t changed much in the past 92 years.
Left by torero on April 2nd, 2008
You hate Antel. Now you are a true Uruguayan…
Good thing you did not decided to move to Uruguay in the 70’s. You would be in jail by now. Talking that way about the government…that is a no-no.
Do what most Uruguayans do. Tell your story to your friends over a “cortado y medialunas” and you will feel better.
Looking forward to meet you on my next trip to the “paisito”.
I buy the first round (cortados y medialunas of course)…
Left by lapreb on April 2nd, 2008
Hi Ron,
I am so sorry to hear that the problems with Antel are exposing a system that is obviously not providing a serious service to its clients. What other levels of government are also showing incompetence and indifference?
I have been reading your page for the last few years and have found it incredibly helpful for a source of information on Uruguay.
I am from Canada and have been seriously considering investing large sums of money in the country including thinking of relocating with my family of four children. As well I have discussed the investment opportunity of Uruguay with many of my clients and friends, having convinced many that there is a real and safe opportunity in Uruguay. I intend to travel down their soon and confirm this or not.
That being said, this disturbs me that repeatedly I have read online how Uruguay is trapped in a culture of indifference to quality in business and governance. Though I definitely intend to investigate the situation for responsible business and governance practices in Uruguay further with a path finding mission to the country, I now bare in mind that Uruguay is not at the level of competent business practice that would be required for a modern economy at this time. Though with some serious commitment on the part of the government and the citizenry this could and should change for the positive.
I remain hopeful that the forward thinking progressive section of the Uruguayan citizenry will strongly push for a business friendly enviornment in the governance of the wonderful country of Uruguay.
Buenas suerte to all who strive for excellence in life and business,
Terence Laverdure
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
President
Exigency Management Consulting Canada Corporation
tclaverdure@exigencycanada.ca
>>My name is David, my pen name is The Southron, maybe “Ron” came from that?
Left by tclaverdure on April 3rd, 2008
I am shocked at this,I will now reconsider opening a business in Uruguay which had been my intension. It is now time to look elsewhere and only reconsider moving business (and jobs for locals) when the government DEMONSTRATES, a change in attitude and developmental care.
Snowykarma
>>I wouldn’t give up on Uruguay yet. We need more businesses to help make it better.
The Southron
Left by snowykarma on April 3rd, 2008
A small little sidenote about other ineffeciences. About three weeks ago in Pocitos (and I think a few other parts of Montevideo), the power shut down for about 4 hours.
I actually enjoyed this as I went to the local cafe and chatted with many folks. They say this does not happen often.
If we were in San Francisco or New York, people would have assumed the worst…a terroist plot of some sort.
In Montevideo, people just took it in stride as something that happens. But if you own a business here, this “something” may adversely affect your bottom line.
Left by richardinthemoment on April 4th, 2008
Having already posted (twice, I didn’t realize the first posting had gone through; thought I’d accidentally deleted it), I want to add something to put things in perspective. I lived in Canada, a country generally regarded highly by the world. I ran a 10 room B&B inn. Twice during the ten years that I operated, I had the water turned off without warning, early in the morning. Try to explain to your 25 or so guests why there is no water for a shower or even to wash their faces. Try to explain why there is no coffee and breakfast will be not be the usual fare. They are not at all interested in your explanations. They have paid their money and they want the fine service they believed they would be receiving. Try to do the laundry with no water after they have all left in various states of disgruntlement.
Needless to say, the City of Revelstoke, which exhibited all the indifference of Antel, did not care. In fact, they hung up on me in the middle of my tirade! My lawyer did not find enough grounds for legal action at a reasonable cost. Eventually, I had to accept reality and get back to business. Didn’t make it go down any easier, however.
Left by syd on April 4th, 2008
David,
It is never better to lie about anything. Eventually a reputation will be tarnished and irretrievable. I expect truth on this website and not smoke and mirrors. So showing both sides of a coin is the honorable thing to do.
If I wanted smoke and mirrors I’d live closer to DC and believe what I see on the six o’clock news.
Loggy
Left by Loggy on April 6th, 2008
We like your blog!…
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Left by Dr. Riekeyword on April 7th, 2008