Telkom & ICASA engage in private talks

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Telkom and Icasa start connecting
August 8, 2005
By Renée Bonorchis

Johannesburg - Telkom and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) had been involved in "confidential correspondence" since a tumultuous argument broke out between them over Telkom's charges for high-speed internet access, according to Xolisa Vapi, Telkom's media relations specialist.

"We are hoping to engage the regulator on the ADSL [asymmetric digital subscriber line] access rental finding to reach some form of common understanding," Vapi said.

One investor with a R3 billion stake in Telkom said the ADSL fight was not a worry. High-speed internet services were not yet a significant part of Telkom's business, the investor said.

In December, Icasa solicited public comment on Telkom's ADSL services. This technology, found in homes and businesses, uses a modem and existing phone lines to offer multimedia and high-speed data communications.

By January 21, Icasa had received 446 submissions from some very unhappy consumers. By the end of July it gazetted its findings, including that consumers should pay a once-off fee for ADSL and thereafter just line rental. Telkom has said this was not possible.

Telkom used to be a monopoly with obligations to roll out services across South Africa. That fell away as the country prepared for competition in the industry.

Telkom now, in terms of its universal service obligations, has to comply with discounting telecoms costs for schools (the e-rate ) and 1 800 spectrum restrictions.

Telkom's share gained R1.60 to close at R124.60 on Friday. The telecoms index lost 0.08 percent.

ICASA:
Please don't sell out
Please don't sell out
Please don't sell out
Please don't sell out
Please don't sell out
Please don't sell out!

 

[life|form]

What do you think Telkom would do if MyADSL engaged ICASA in "private and confidential" talks?

I'm sorry, but even though my trust in ICASA has improved by leaps and bounds since the release of the report and their subsequent refusal to back down, I still do not trust Telkom working their lies with no one around to provide an objective view. There should be no reason for Telkom to insist that these talks are kept from public scrutiny.

 

[dominic]

Telkom used to be a monopoly with obligations to roll out services across South Africa. That fell away as the country prepared for competition in the industry.

Badly needs some rewriting.

Telkom now, in terms of its universal service obligations, has to comply with discounting telecoms costs for schools (the e-rate ) and 1 800 spectrum restrictions.

gosh..not even managing that

 

[reech]

We should petition ICASA to make the details of these talks public - Telkom had every opportunity to present their side of the story during the hearings. ICASA is now compromised and the whole point of the 'public' hearings has been undermined.

 

[VQuest]

What do you think Telkom would do if MyADSL engaged ICASA in "private and confidential" talks?

I'm sorry, but even though my trust in ICASA has improved by leaps and bounds since the release of the report and their subsequent refusal to back down, I still do not trust Telkom working their lies with no one around to provide an objective view. There should be no reason for Telkom to insist that these talks are kept from public scrutiny.

Agreed. Telkom is well known for it's lies - unless ICASA stands their ground, we're screwed.

"We are hoping to engage the regulator on the ADSL [asymmetric digital subscriber line] access rental finding to reach some form of common understanding," Vapi said.

In other words: "We're going to tell as many lies as possible to convince ICASA to keep ADSL line rental".

 

[lucifir]

I totally agreee .. how do we go about getting these talks made public? also, it would b great if someone from this forum (knowledgeable about the infrastructure) was at these meetings to dispute telskum lies and get ICASA to c the light

 

[doekvoet]

ICASA is undermining their own integrity by entering into private talks with Telkom. Telkom had more opportunity than any other participant at the public hearings to state their case. This is a serious violtation of the public hearings which took place - keep this in public!!!!!

 

[rpm]

Agreed. Why do we not get another chance? Or any of the other parties...IS, MTN-NS etc?

 

[ettubrute]

Just used the feedback form on the ICASA website, lodging a problem, asking them to clarify:

Dear Sir/Madam

I just found an article in Business Report (at http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=2820824) about Telkom entering into private talks with yourselves. Could you please verify whether this is true? If so, isn't this against the objectives of a regulating body, who's primary role is to protect the consumer?

Would appreciate it if you could answer me on this issue.

Warm regards,

Let's see what their reaction is to this.

 

[mas]

ettubrute, keep us informed as to what ICASA has to respond to that!

 

[ettubrute]

Sure will!

 

[VQuest]

Generally if Telkom insisted on a private meeting it means there is something to hide. This worries me a great deal.

 

[jcorreia]

I actually think RPM should enquire more formally... (not to undermine your action of course ettubrute), but he has a more formal channel with Icasa...

 

[noswal]

Isnt the promotion of access to information act that all businesses are meant to comply with by month end of use in this? - PAIA on the bottom of telkom's site

 

[arni1954]

As was expected ICASA is busy bouncing back into Telkom arms.

 

[bekdik]

Who pays ICASA salaries? Who owns 40% of Telkom? Who likes to do things in secret to protect the public?

 

[Toby]

I downloaded the Icasa Act (Act number 13 of 2000) and looked into this.

No-where in the act can I find a Section that allows for "Private Talks". The is a Lot of references to "Public hearings" etc etc etc.

I am not a lawyer, but I suggest that some of the legal eagles on the forum look into this.

Debbie2, what is your opinion.

 

[london]

Icasa is not obliged to have a public hearings on everything. If they need information from an operator/licensee, they are free to write to them and request a meeting . Same if a licensee wants to apprise Icasa of any developments in their business they can request a meeting at any time. If a licensee wants to share information that they do not want their competitors to know about (i.e. plans for new products, income per product , costs etc) they are allowed to request the information be treated as confidential. this is not unique to South Africa at all. Try any country. The public consultation is not mandatory but only required in the rule-making process.

Infact Icasa meets with licensees (eg ISPs, Vans, PTNs , Telkom, SNO, Sentech, Vodacom, CellC, MTN, consumer groups) everyday of the year, consulting on one thing or another, otherwise they would never be able to do their work .
Irrespective of what they are told by these licensees, they are only required to apply their mind and make independant decision to dispatch of their mandate.

 

[caroper]

This is just spin doctoring, read it again......

Johannesburg - Telkom and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) had been involved in "confidential correspondence" since a tumultuous argument broke out between them over Telkom's charges for high-speed internet access, according to Xolisa Vapi, Telkom's media relations specialist.

If it is "confidential correspondence" why would Xolisa Vapi want to boast about it? He is just trying to imply that ICASA is still a Lap Dog to Telkom.

Cheers
Chris

 

[ettubrute]

I actually think RPM should enquire more formally... (not to undermine your action of course ettubrute), but he has a more formal channel with Icasa...

No problem. Look in the other thread, where I stated the same to RPM. Just thought that more ppl would force ICASA to respond faster... BTW, have no answer yet, but maybe it was preposterous to expect an answer to a problem posted late in the afternoon, and that the day before a holiday?