JOHANNESBURG, South Africa-Speaking at a recent technology and communications summit in Johannesburg, executives from South Africa’s mobile and fixed operators reiterated their calls that the local regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), is not as independent as they would like it to be.
Andrew Mthembu, deputy chief executive officer (CEO) of Vodacom, said the lines between ICASA and the government’s Department of Communications are unclear and a means of enhancing independence would perhaps be to allow the regulator to keep some revenues from license fees as opposed to being allocated a budget from the government.
The network operators believe that a clear regulation policy with a strong independent regulator will allow the government to earn more from its intended initial public offering (IPO) of fixed-line company Telkom and the investment into the second national operator license.
Sizwe Nxasana, CEO of Telkom, said the telecom market is not in great shape and attracting foreign investors into the country would be easier if the regulator is perceived to be more independent.
Talaat laham, CEO of Cell C, said there are competing agendas in the government circles, leading to confusion in the market.
