The Minister of Communications, General (Ret) Siphiwe Nyanda has noted the decision by Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to reject the proposal by mobile operators with regard to the reduction of interconnect fees.
The mobile operators made a submission to ICASA to reduce the interconnection rate conditional upon on a three year glide path period, which ICASA has turned down.
It’s also the Minister view that the proposed three year glide path period is long and unfair to consumers who have been affected by high telecommunication costs for too long.
The Minister respects the independence of ICASA and had indicated in his report to parliament last year that the final decision on this matter rested with the regulator.
The ministry believes that the 89/77 cents (peak and off-peak respectively) are reasonable and are to be implemented within a shorter period than those suggested by the mobile operators.
For more information contact:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Tel: 012 427 8010
Cell: 083 800 9936
Issued by: Department of Communications
3 February 2010
Source: Sapa
