Forgive me for hammering on this, but I believe the route to go is a legal route, and that it should be a criminal action (Government vs Telkom), not civil (We vs Telkom).
To do this, as a first step we have to:
1. identify the legislation could possible govern/regulate Telkom, or that we can use in our effort.
2. identify actions/activities/issues of Telkom that can be said is a non-contravention of a certain relevant regulation/act.
3. clearly state why we say so, with proof (available documents compiled by independent institutions preferably).
Two pieces of Legislation that I have identified that can be of use may be the Telecommunications Act, 1996 (Act 103 of 1996) and the Competition Act of 1998. The one that directly impacts on Telkom is the first one. With legislation being so easy to understand and comprehend, I recommend that we take it a bit at a time.
The first issue of concern would be a possible definition of “affordability”. This is important as the Telecommunications Act, section 2 set certain objectives, with this objectives used in the recent decision of ICASA (forget now about the possible issue of them not having real teeth, that will be covered). Using this means that they consider section 2 relevant and important, and therefore set a formal objective (The primary object of this Act is to provide for the regulation and control of telecommunication matters in the public interest, and for that purpose to (a) promote the universal and affordable provision of telecommunication services.
I could not get a definition of “affordable” that can be used in the South African context. But factors to consider (from SA Statistics, 2001 census):
- Approximately 9,5 million economically active people.
- Approximately 6,8 million unemployed people.
- Average income is about R1,900 pm.
- More that 5 million people have an income of less than R1,600 pm.
In terms of education, should one consider the availability of internet in a developing (developed ?) country a luxury or a necessity? Will schools for instance be able to afford the cost of internet ? Looking at international trends and costs, can the average, or even above average income person afford broadband. I remember reading about a report (anyone have a copy or a link) that the cost of communication (affordability?) in SA is hampering growth, investment and the development of business. More people have Cell phones in South Africa than landlines, even with cellular costs being higher than landline costs. The current business model of Telkom just does not make landlines “affordable” for the average consumer, or does it?
So, lets discuss the issue of affordability.
To do this, as a first step we have to:
1. identify the legislation could possible govern/regulate Telkom, or that we can use in our effort.
2. identify actions/activities/issues of Telkom that can be said is a non-contravention of a certain relevant regulation/act.
3. clearly state why we say so, with proof (available documents compiled by independent institutions preferably).
Two pieces of Legislation that I have identified that can be of use may be the Telecommunications Act, 1996 (Act 103 of 1996) and the Competition Act of 1998. The one that directly impacts on Telkom is the first one. With legislation being so easy to understand and comprehend, I recommend that we take it a bit at a time.
The first issue of concern would be a possible definition of “affordability”. This is important as the Telecommunications Act, section 2 set certain objectives, with this objectives used in the recent decision of ICASA (forget now about the possible issue of them not having real teeth, that will be covered). Using this means that they consider section 2 relevant and important, and therefore set a formal objective (The primary object of this Act is to provide for the regulation and control of telecommunication matters in the public interest, and for that purpose to (a) promote the universal and affordable provision of telecommunication services.
I could not get a definition of “affordable” that can be used in the South African context. But factors to consider (from SA Statistics, 2001 census):
- Approximately 9,5 million economically active people.
- Approximately 6,8 million unemployed people.
- Average income is about R1,900 pm.
- More that 5 million people have an income of less than R1,600 pm.
In terms of education, should one consider the availability of internet in a developing (developed ?) country a luxury or a necessity? Will schools for instance be able to afford the cost of internet ? Looking at international trends and costs, can the average, or even above average income person afford broadband. I remember reading about a report (anyone have a copy or a link) that the cost of communication (affordability?) in SA is hampering growth, investment and the development of business. More people have Cell phones in South Africa than landlines, even with cellular costs being higher than landline costs. The current business model of Telkom just does not make landlines “affordable” for the average consumer, or does it?
So, lets discuss the issue of affordability.