The agreements on the mobile termination rates (MTR) were between Vodacom and MTN on the one hand and Cell C and Vodacom on the other, the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The agreements proposed a reduction of the peak MTR from R1.25 to R0.89, while the off-peak MTR rate would stay unchanged at R0.77.<\/p>\n
The new MTR rate was to come into effect on March 1.<\/p>\n
“We fully support the ongoing regulatory process and trust that Icasa will swiftly finalise the regulations in this regard,” Vodacom chief executive officer Pieter Uys said.<\/p>\n
Last week, Cell C and Vodacom said they would lower their tariffs next month, despite Icasa’s rejection of the proposals.<\/p>\n
The mobile operators proposed a reduction in peak-time rates from R1.25 to 89 cents a minute in March, 85c a minute in October 2011 and 80c a minute in October 2012.<\/p>\n
The current 77c for the off-peak interconnection rate would remain the same until 2013.<\/p>\n
The operators made the implementation of their proposal subject to the condition that Icasa undertook not to review mobile termination rates until March 1, 2013.<\/p>\n
But, Icasa said it would not support the interconnection proposal and would first release draft regulations on the matter.<\/p>\n
“These agreements sought to bind the authority to an undertaking not to review mobile termination rates until March 1, 2013,” Icasa said in a statement.<\/p>\n