Not a data cost problem

The article “High Price of Data Crippling Progress” (DD, Apr 13-14 ) is misleading and economically inaccurate. The article reveals a lack of distinction between business expense and personal expense. Only business-enhancing communication with suppliers and others in the supply chain is a business expense. Everything else is a personal expense. Business communication and its cost is significantly reduced by careful planning of orders. One bulk order is less expensive than several small orders. This is where many businesses, especially SMMEs, fail. The owners begin without a clear business plan, a defined target market and (all too frequently) any comprehension of how an economy functions. The article’s many examples of personal calls to friends and family are calls that assist, not cripple, the economy. The data purchased promotes growth of the service providers and creates employment. The problem, especially for the poor, is not the cost of data but a lack of discipline. Restricting the number of communications, not sending attachments and staying away from the intoxicating lure of social media saves megabytes of data while keeping people in touch with their nearest and dearest. Do not use data when non-IT alternatives are available. In the example of “Thando” needing to look up the meaning of words, dictionaries are sold in all bookshops and are available in public, school and college libraries. Well, available in libraries not burnt down in some selfdestructive protest action. This is the biggest factor crippling economic progress: an undisciplined population with an entitlement mentality and no concept of action and consequences. It’s a people problem, not a cost of data problem. – Dave Rankin, via e-mail