The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued a warning to the country’s four largest mobile operators it will not tolerate their refusal to make available information pertaining to the pricing of data, SMS and voice.
This action by ICASA is intended to benefit the consumer by bringing about market pricing transparency. ICASA named Telkom as one of the licensees reluctant to share this information.
Stakeholders, however, argue the reason for their reluctance to share the information in question is due to competition.
HumanIPO reported last week ICASA challenged internet service providers to cut their broadband costs in half.
South Africa’s mobile phone prices are reportedly ranked 30th out of 34 countries on the continent, among the most expensive.
Furthermore, ICASA also plans to review regulations related to the pricing information, which influences the cost of communications in South Africa as part of its new initiative.
This will include the review of the local loop unbundling framework and call termination regulations.
According to Pieter Grootes, ICASA general manager of markets, licensees will face serious consequences should they continue to refuse to share pricing information.
“We have been regulating each other over the last couple of years. We need to close the gap between the regulator and the regulated and make more space for dialogue and this programme allows for that,” BusinessDay Live quoted Grootes as saying.
ICASA has set October 24 as its deadline to have the new regulations on call termination finalised. Dina Pule, communications minister said last week she would be announcing more details on South Africa’s move towards more transparent pricing.
