I wish v2.1

[news24]

With 30+ million cellphones users in the country, I think the government should slap Cellphone imports with huge customs tariffs and promote local assembly and manufacturing of phones here at home. This will create jobs....

What do you think?

 

[FrancTheTank]

In a perfect world yes, but SA has no major/advanced electronics assembly plants or experience, and labour is more expensive than in the East.

Just being my usual pessimistic self

 

[kayvee]

In a perfect world yes, but SA has no major/advanced electronics assembly plants or experience, and labour is more expensive than in the East.

Just being my usual pessimistic self

I totally disagree, except for your last comment. We surely do have the capability, know-how and resources to achieve this, just have a look at the digital decoder segment, automotive electronics, in the past defence systems and electronics, tracking and RFID segments of the local electronics industry, all which have significant market share internationally. In fact we are cutting-edge in many of these fields.

The local market for phones is insignificant, thus if the government stepped in and did that we would end up with exactly like the automotive industry in this country - overpriced and protected, not good.