“CWU is shocked by the inability of Icasa to regulate the sector… in particular with regard to the exorbitant interconnect fees.<\/p>\n
“They have proved that they will do nothing to support the developmental agenda and have single-handedly ensured that the poor remain in shackles due to the high interconnect fees,” said CWU spokesman Richard Poulton.<\/p>\n
Interconnect rates are the amounts charged by networks for carrying calls on behalf of one another.<\/p>\n
“They, Icasa, should develop regulations to comply with the policy directive issued by the [Communications] Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.<\/p>\n
“The fundamental problem of the high interconnect fees relates to policy,” said Poulton.<\/p>\n
“The ‘managed liberalisation’ policy has failed the poor and has mainly benefited the rich and business.<\/p>\n
“Icasa is a very good agent of globalisation, but a very bad agent on behalf of the poor,” he said. <\/p>\n
The policy directive relates to Nyanda’s order that Icasa slash the rates consumers pay by November 30.<\/p>\n
“We welcome the effective policy directive issued by the department of communication and the minister.<\/p>\n
“The new minister is on the right track and should ensure that the department contributes its share towards attainment of the key priority areas as per the manifesto,” said Poulton. <\/p>\n