Sample of unapproved cordless phones. Source: ICASA
In a statement issued yesterday the regulator “warns the South African public against the purchasing or importing of cordless phones, including bringing in phones into the country when they travel to other countries.
“The result of interference is poor quality of service and the non-availability of access to the network and increased dropped calls and slower data rates.”
ICASA also reiterated it is illegal to use a non-type approved phone in the country and said a crackdown on such illegal handsets will begin. Under the law, the communications regulator has the power to confiscate any equipment causing interference with the networks.
The crackdown will begin in areas such as Cape Peninsula, where ICASA detects huge incidences of network interference caused by these devices. It has responded to more than 30 cases of interference in the Sea Point area.
People with such phones are urged to surrender them at their offices as it violates the license rights of the network and the consumer for clear transmission and reception.
Consumers are also encouraged to look out for the “ICASA approves” sticker when purchasing handsets from other regions.
