The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa ("ICASA") has compiled an analysis report of prepaid retail voice and data tariffs which were available in the market from 1 April 2015 to 30 September 2015. The purpose of the report is to provide stakeholders, particularly consumers, with an analysis of the tariffs charged by the different mobile operators during the period under review.
It must be noted that the analysis report deliberately excluded different promotions and bundles (voice and data) offered to prepaid subscribers by mobile operators for the following reasons:
- ICASA does not have adequate information on amongst others the extent of usage or take up of these promotions and bundles.
- Promotions and bundles tend to be short-term in nature, some of them were not applicable for the six month period under review.
ICASA is, therefore, unable to objectively assess the extent of the impact of the promotions and bundles on headline tariffs as experienced by consumers. However, ICASA appreciates that subscribers who signed up and used a variety of the promotional tariffs would have derived some benefit and/or experienced a reduction in headline tariffs.
The actual cost of a voice calls faced by a consumer is not necessarily the headline tariff, but a combination of free minutes discounts offered based on the recharge amount, promotions and bundles. The headline tariff therefore represents the maximum tariff payable by consumers on specific tariff plans.
This is the first report and the Authority intends to continue issuing such moving forward.
All media enquiries must be directed to:
Paseka Maleka
Tel: 011 566 3455
Cell: 079 509 0702
Email: pmaleka@icasa.org.za
