http://www.vodafone-us.com/about.html
Along with the rising protest against Mubarak’s rule in Egypt, the Egyptian government took an “unprecedented step of severing all Internet connections and shutting down its cellphone services – with the cooperation of international firms.”
Vodafone Group PLC, one of the largest mobile carriers in Egypt and Telecom Egypt shut down “the whole Internet down” on Thursday night 27, January. It is not the first time in recent history other countries such as Myanmar, Iran and China have clamped down on Internet access and cellphone use. However, landlines remained open in Egypt.
Not surprisingly, social-media websites including Facebook and Twitter were also shut down to prevent any external communications. It is one measure that the Egyptian authorities had taken to calm down or settle down the crazy protests; in fact, since the internet connects and updates the latest information in the world, the government sought necessary to close down its communication means.
Personally, the mobile carriers should take their corporate social responsibility in providing the correct and reliable information to the Egyptian community and its neighbouring countries. Globally, Egyptians, who are living overseas, are eager to know the current crises that are happening now. They are concerned with Egypt’s political and economical issues, thus it is crucial for Egypt’s largest mobile carriers to fight against the government and to release the most accurate news. Publishing news hence becomes one of the significantly important corporate social responsibilities for the mobile carriers in the telecommunications industry.
Moreover, Vodafone’s mission statement clearly states, “The Foundation is driven by a Passion for the World Around Us. We make grants that help people in our communities and around the world lead fuller lives.” Therefore, Vodafone should be proactive in providing the true information we are granting for and Vodafone has the responsibility in achieving their goal.
Miki Ishibashi
2 comments:
This is an interesting article because it faces the issue of corporate social responsibility but also the issue of ethics. Ethics with the government but also ethics with the company to ensure the customer is receiving what they are paying for. I wonder can Vodafone truly get access within Egypt to give service to the customers. Because from my understanding the government is shutting down the lines of communication therefore this is going against the governments social responsibility. I also wonder is it possible for Vodafone to still access the lines of communication or if they are going along with the governments requests.
Very interesting. I wonder what effect monetarily this has on telecommunications providers.
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