Telkom !!!!

I have a prepaid home line. Received a message on Sunday to say that Telkom is discontinuing the copper lines for prepaids and that if i want a new phone i need to call ********** 263 or the number will be discontinued. I duly phoned the number the next day to be told that i would receive a new phone and once received i need to insert the sim and wait 5 days for it to be activated. That same Monday night i could not use my landline as there was a problem with it. I could not hear the person speaking and they could not hear me for the crackling noise. I immediately phoned telkom faults and was told yes there was a problem with my line but telkom is no longer sending out technicians for prepaid landlines. I now have to wait 3 - 4 weeks for the new phone and a week for activation. Really now? Is that acceptable practice? I have had this service for 16 years and use my phone daily. It is also linked to an alarm.