“Telkom must stop their bully-boy tactics”
The party has put its weight behind ICASA adding that the regulator should have the authority in a democracy to regulate independently and act within the best interests of all industry players and citizens.
“Threats of crippling legal action against ICASA’s decision-making and economic sabotage, which would be the result of severing existing ADSL lines and disinvesting in upgrading ADSL networks, cannot be allowed,” said Suzanne Vos, IFP spokesperson for Telecommunications.
Vos recommends that the Minister of Communications should step in to stop Telkom’s bully-boy tactics as ICASA and South Africa as a whole cannot afford a costly legal battle.
Steven White, Telkom’s executive for product development has gone on record with Moneyweb as stating that Telkom simply cannot go ahead with implementing the ICASA findings from the ADSL hearing.
He added that, “It is incomprehensible that such a flawed finding could be made.” Yet in the same breath he acknowledges that they were given fair representation at the hearing but complains that the Icasa panel ignored their submissions.
During the course of the hearings Telkom was the only organization that was given the privilege of presenting twice. They opened the debate and at the end addressed concerns raised during the hearing.
Vos notes that Telkom does have the right to bring this issue before the courts but there is the equal concern as to the rights of the citizens of South Africa. Government has the obligation to step in and ensure that Telkom’s threats do not have “long-term and disastrous economic consequences for the country” states Vos.
The bottom line according to the IFP is that ICASA cannot afford a costly legal battle and neither can the country.
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