ISPA calls for action on “expensive” mobile data
ISPA has called for “effective competition” in mobile data services, saying it is the key to making broadband more affordable for all South Africans.
“There is, however, an unfortunate lack of urgency on the part of the communications regulator to confront the mobile network operators on this issue,” said ISPA.
The association said the Minister of Telecommunications issued ICASA with a directive on 3 March 2016, instructing it to hold an inquiry which would “finalise regulations to ensure effective competition”.
“A full year later, little appears to have been done.”
It said ICASA is rather focussing on the cost of voice calls – despite a declining share of consumers’ monthly mobile spend going to voice calls.
“By focusing on voice call termination rates, ICASA is taking the easy option of doing what it has done before, while avoiding the more relevant and pressing issue of the cost of the mobile data used by tens of millions of South Africans,” said ISPA.
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