I read with interest earlier letters on the incompatibility (read: the "dispute" between Jaring and Streamyx). Firstly, let me try to clarify the solution proposed by Jaring CEO Mohamed Awang Lah.

There is a quick and easy way to deal with this matter: use the web-based 'Jaring Personalised Portal' at www.myjaring.net . Once you are registered, set-up your e-mail account and you can access your mail and send mail like any other web based e-mail.

The portal will 'by-pass' the compatibility problem, although it does not address the real issue.

Similarly, TMnet has its 'TMnet Webmail Portal' at webmail.tm.net.my . Admittedly, these portals are nowhere as functional as the Outlook Express or whatever email organiser with which we may be more familiar with, but it is a good stop-gap measure.

However, the real issue lies in whether the service providers have an obligation to their customers to make access easier, or to compete at such a level that customers may be forced to choose one way or the other. No doubt this must have been at the back of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's mind when he announced in his 2004 Budget speech that the service providers should merge.

Let us look at the pros and cons of this proposal. Firstly, we will benefit from lower (albeit forced) broadband access fees. Up to 50 percent less for corporate users and 30 percent less for home users. Then, of course the above compatibility issue would be solved once and for all.

The disadvantages? Well, it creates a monopoly. From our knowledge of Microsoft activities, and our experience with some of our local services, monopolies leave much to be desired. While its touted to "ensure wider and more efficient Internet services", it may reduce overall innovation and increase complacency. It is in fact a real setback for us in terms of our drive towards the information/knowledge society.

AS Toh made a good point in the initial letter when he/she said, "are business corporations in this country so used to monopolies that they can only stay in business if there is no competition?". The 'forced' compatibility between our two large service providers would create a shaky relationship at best. How long before the earlier "dispute" carries on to the new partnership?

Basically, whether there is a dispute between the service providers or not, shouldn't be the question. They are 'service providers' and should be doing so. What these big corporations forget is that they are not selling a product so much as a service.

There is a slow uptake of Streamyx not because the service is too expensive, but simply because there is a long waiting list and the response time from TMnet leaves much to be desired. How many of us have sent a query to the service providers and had to wait ages for a decent reply? How long do we have to wait? Seventeen years to the year 2020 ...