The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa hereby invites licensees, stakeholders and the media to a briefing session to launch the Cost to Communicate Programme.
The Cost to Communicate Programme seeks to review related regulations that impact on the cost of communications in South Africa such as the Call Termination Regulations and the Local Loop Unbundling Framework.
The Cost to Communicate Programme stems from concerns raised by various parties including government about the high cost to communicate. The Authority, through this process, would also look into price transparency as well.
The Authority acknowledges reductions in the mobile and fixed line telephony retail prices as a result of the introduction of mobile termination rates glide path. However, the Authority is still concerned that the costs of communication are still high, and competition is this market is still inadequate.
Recent regulatory intervention in reducing the cost to communicate in South Africa includes the collection and analyses of information and communications technology indicators from licenses regarding the provision of communication products and services, including broadband, voice and data.
When the Authority published the Wholesale Voice Call Termination Regulations in 2010, it set out a three-year glide path with the expectation that over time a more dynamic pricing environment including lower retail rates would develop to the benefit of the consumer.
Despite this regulatory intervention, the costs of communication in South Africa are still comparatively high in relation to its Southern African and continental peers.
The Cost to Communicate Programme is the Authority's mainstay. The call to reduce communication costs is echoed in various platforms, including the recent Minister’s Budget Vote. During her Budget Speech, Minister Dina Pule announced that she "intends to issue a policy directive on transparent pricing of services such as SMS, Voice and Data to ensure market pricing transparency for the benefit of consumers".
The programme's processes will accommodate the Minister's Policy Directive when it is issued.
The briefing session will outline details about the Cost to Communicate Programme, and seek the industry input into the process.
Date: Friday, 7 June 2013
Time: 10h00
Venue: Block C Presentation Room, ICASA Head Office.
Any enquiries in relation to the Cost to Communicate Programme should be directed to Christian Mhlanga on: 011 566 3637 or cmhlanga@icasa.org.za.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Paseka Maleka
Cell: 079 509 0702
Tel: 011 566 3455
E-mail: pmaleka@icasa.org.za
