The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has postponed the publication of its draft local loop unbundling regulations, which were meant to be presented yesterday (Tuesday).
In a media statement, the regulator gave no timeframe for when the draft guidelines would be presented and said the process was “taking longer than anticipated”.
Local loop unbundling has been described by industry players as vital for increasing competition in the fixed-line market and breaking the “monopoly” held by part state-owned Telkom.
ICASA has also agreed to give licensees more time to contribute to the Broadband Value Chain Study, with a new deadline of July 29, and the Call Termination Market Review. The regulator asks licensees to submit their contributions to the latter by the August 2.
The questionnaire, featured in the Call Termination Market Review, has also been amended to remove questions relating to SMS, data and international roaming.
HumanIPO reported last week, forming a consistent and effective policy on international roaming charges could have huge benefits to Africa economies.
