Mixed signals in telecoms policy

[rpm]

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A34557

"MANAGED liberalisation has been the communications minister’s stated telecommunications policy for the past few years. During this period we saw the number of fixed lines fall, communication costs skyrocket, increased marginalisation of the poor, and inefficiencies built into the communication system, affecting every corner of the economy.

Little surprise, really. Doesn’t the phrase “managed liberalisation” alert us to the core problem? Either you liberalise, or you don’t. Our communication policy is neither here nor there."

 

[stoke]

... Little surprise, really. Doesn’t the phrase “managed liberalisation” alert us to the core problem? Either you liberalise, or you don’t. Our communication policy is neither here nor there."

Nail on the head. Now how in the hell do we hammer that into "thems that works for us"?

 

[stoke]

<Q> like government is ready to abandon its handbrake approach to competition. And that is not good for SA in an increasingly connected world.</Q>

Now - the familiarity here is astounding. Where have I heard this before ?

 

[BTTB]

Doesn’t the phrase “managed liberalisation” alert us to the core problem? Either you liberalise, or you don’t. Our communication policy is neither here nor there."

Just another word game.
At ground level nothing happens.

 

[hArTh]

The DoC always come up with some negative comment or reason why liberalisation will be "difficult". It is abundantly clear that they do not support meaninfull liberalisation.

 

[arf9999]

I am willing to bet that Neil Emerick is a member of myADSL. Any guesses as to his nick?

 

[dominic]

add a statement from the Chairman of ICASA at the African Broadband Revolution conference that SA does not have an independent regulator and he wishes it did

as much as it is difficult to hear a strong ICASA is our only real hope - when the Convergence Act comes into being I am convinced that the framework will exist for achieving something real interms of liberalisation, but only if there is a strong, independent and financially viable regulator

anyone attending the adsl hearings should make a point of thanking ICASA for the opportunity, stressing the need to work together and offering every support