The debate over cellphone interconnection rates is only about how much they would be reduced and over what time period, National Assembly communications committee chairman Ismail Vadi said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the start of two-days of public hearings on the issue, Vadi said by holding the hearings the committee was taking “an extraordinary step to deal with an extraordinary situation”.<\/p>\n
This was because the regulator — the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) — had failed to deal with the matter, he said.<\/p>\n
Even though Icasa might well have valid reasons for the delay in dealing with it, “that is immaterial”.<\/p>\n
He appealed to Icasa to get its house in order and get on with its work.<\/p>\n
The committee had received over 80 written submissions and about 22 of these would make oral presentations during the two days of hearings.<\/p>\n
All the submissions were agreed that “something has to be done” to reduce the excessive and exorbitant charges.<\/p>\n
Vadi said the committee would deliberate on the way forward following the hearings, but legislative steps, if required, were not ruled out.<\/p>\n
Among those expected to make oral presentations on Tuesday were Telkom, Vodacom and Neotel.<\/p>\n