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February 24, 2006

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On February 6, I wrote one of my characteristically snide pieces about the cost of broadband internet connections in Ethiopia. On February 7, my phone line was cut off. Just a coincidence? Well yes, it almost definitely was.

Anyway, I hope that explains the relative lightness of posting recently. I am now back in snowy England for a couple of weeks (on more family-related business) sitting at my mother-in-law's PC, moving between Yahoo's Ethiopia search and my Bloglines account at what, for me, is a mind-blowing speed. It is all courtesy of her BlueYonder broadband connection (1mbps - £25/ETB382/US44$ a month).

Before I left, ETC said the matter was in the hands of their repair people and I would just "have to wait". I was still waiting when I left. Just in case I have to continue waiting when I get back again, I am using my short UK break to catch up on all the Ethiopian news I can before getting on the return flight.

Posted by aheavens at February 24, 2006 6:41 AM

Comments

Dear Andrew,

As usual thanks for the "dream is over" piece. I had no idea Bono had such a dream.

Please be extra careful when dealing with the thugish Ethiopian government. Apparently, they do read your blogs and some of them do understand British saracasm. I don't think it is a coincidence that your phone line is not working... For, if it were, it would not have taken more than three days to fix it for a ferenji in Ethiopia.

FYI, they just made a second British reporter(Inigo Gilmore for The Observer/Ch.4 TV)leave the country by subjecting him to discouraging bureacracy and refusing a damn permit from the Ministry of Information. Do not underestimate this govt. They know no shame. If they don't like you, you will get the Ana Gomes/Anthony Mitchel treatment.

Posted by: Dabus Nibor at February 24, 2006 4:26 PM

Dear Andrew,

As usual thanks for the "dream is over" piece. I had no idea Bono had such a dream.

Please be extra careful when dealing with the thugish Ethiopian government. Apparently, they do read your blogs and some of them do understand British saracasm. I don't think it is a coincidence that your phone line is not working... For, if it were, it would not have taken more than three days to fix it for a ferenji in Ethiopia.

FYI, they just made a second British reporter(Inigo Gilmore for The Observer/Ch.4 TV)leave the country by subjecting him to discouraging bureacracy and refusing a damn permit from the Ministry of Information. Do not underestimate this govt. They know no shame. If they don't like you, you will get the Ana Gomes/Anthony Mitchel treatment.

Posted by: Queyi Qebero at February 24, 2006 4:26 PM

Why is your mother-in-law paying £25 for 1Mbs droadband connection while she can get 2Mbs broadband connection for just £15?

Posted by: dsgnews at February 25, 2006 1:22 AM

Good point dsgnews. I will mention it to her.

Posted by: andrew at February 25, 2006 4:56 AM

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