Interconnect rates numbers

[mikef]

Nope - that would precisely NOT be grounds to increase rates. The current rates submitted to (and approved by) ICASA allow for sufficient profit without the interconnect charge. The interconnect charge is simply meant to cover the cost of the carrier who terminates the call. ICASA, as parliament and the protfolio commitee recently pointed out, should not be there to guarantee profits for the the networks, they should ensure "fair" competition and justifiable fees charged to consumers.

Have you a link to how and when mobile rates are approved by ICASA (not talking about interconnect fees but retail rates)?

 

[Speedster]

Unfortunately not. My dad was heavily involved in drafting the cellular licenses and my step mom was at ICASA until she moved to MTN's regulatory affairs department.

MTN and Vodacom make obscene profits and government has (eventually) decided to step up on regulation.

 

[mikef]

So are you saying the retail pricing is or is not regulated?

I find it difficult to believe that the mobile operators need to get their retail tariffs approved as each operator has so many variations that it must be a nightmare to regulate if it is done.

 

[Speedster]

So are you saying the retail pricing is or is not regulated?

I find it difficult to believe that the mobile operators need to get their retail tariffs approved as each operator has so many variations that it must be a nightmare to regulate if it is done.

They definately have to have their rates approved. Interestingly, if you look at the operators call charges - there are only about 5 different call rates, packaged under various names, so it is not so many that need to be approved.

Here is a past example, for reference: http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/614.html.

 

[doonit]

Jeez. My blood boils when I read this stuff. South Africa must be the most ripped off nation on earth. How can it be? Banks Telkom Eskom Car companies Cell phone companies Milk/Bread producers....etc. Etc. Etc...Where is the point where we put our collective foot down?

 

[mikef]

They definately have to have their rates approved. Interestingly, if you look at the operators call charges - there are only about 5 different call rates, packaged under various names, so it is not so many that need to be approved.

Here is a past example, for reference: http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/614.html.

Thanks for the info - I suspect they will not get approval for a retail tariff increase but I still contend that it is unlikely that we we see much in the line of decreases.

 

[tjunyat]

So are you saying the retail pricing is or is not regulated?

I find it difficult to believe that the mobile operators need to get their retail tariffs approved as each operator has so many variations that it must be a nightmare to regulate if it is done.

This is why !CASA is too busy to do any of the other things they keep getting requested to do