I've worked with and for cellular networks.
I can wholeheartedly and honestly tell you the following facts:
1. They are cartels
2. They view their business as a "license to print money"
3. They have bent 3GPP spec to make even more money. The "dropped calls" tactic is one of many
4. They charge for stuff that costs them nothing (SMS messages and USSD especially)
There is a cost involved, however it is always in third world countries that somehow the prices must be higher than they are in first world countries because somehow, even though the subscriber base is larger in the third world, it costs more apparently to deliver the same service (despite the fact that often the networks are using "hand-me-down" equipment from first world countries).
Its actually this- they presume that third world people are stupid and deserving of being charged more. This is an attitiude I've seen across all networks in SA, networks in neighbouring countries and basically throughout Africa and places like India.
South Africa's network operators are especially devious, the people who own/run them will sell their own mother, their wives, their children, for profit. They feel nothing for the client base and will actively seek out ways to rip them off, whether its dropped calls, disappearing data/airtime, or expiring data/airtime, there's many tricks in that arsenal. We're a world leader in screwing over cellular clients. The Americans have even learnt how, from us.
So assuming this does come to pass (it won't because they will tie up the regulator and SA govt in legal wranglings for years, or will simply bribe the ANC to make this go away), they will get what they deserve and I feel nothing for them, Vodacom and EMPTY-N especially, they can go cry a river or burn in hell, whichever suits.
But like I said, it ain't gonna happen. Not in my lifetime, it goes against what their friends are doing in other poor countries.
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