Icasa inquiry into competition in SA tech sector

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has invited media and other stakeholders to the launch of a high level inquiry into the state of competition in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Icasa said that the ICT sector has undergone, and continues to undergo rapid technological changes with far reaching implications for the local and international industries.

“One area, in which these changes are more pronounced, is in the competitiveness of the electronic communications, broadcasting and postal sectors and the assumption that greater competition will lead to reduction in the cost to communicate,” Icasa said.

Another issue, according to the regulator, is what impact any consolidation of the market will have on the state of competition, the cost to communicate and bridging the digital divide.

“The question of the assignment of spectrum for broadband will also have an effect on the state of competition in the ICT sector,” Icasa said.

Icasa has scheduled the launch of the inquiry for 10:00 on Thursday, 13 March 2014, at its offices in Sandton.

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