Outgoing Vodacom group CEO Alan Knott-Craig says he will take top spot at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) if the position becomes available.
The 56-year-old yesterday announced he would step down from his current position in September. He added he would still be around and would not leave the country. Instead, Knott-Craig said he would pursue his many hobbies, including photography.
However, if ICASA's chairman position - currently held by Paris Mashile - was "up for grabs", Knott-Craig would take it, he says.
This follows public statements in July last year that Knott-Craig would be willing to do his "public service" and chair the organisation. At the time, many dismissed his comments as a joke, but Knott-Craig says he is serious.
"In my mind, the regulator needs to make way for competition, not slow down developments. The best regulator is no regulator. However, there are some administrative tasks, like the awarding of spectrum, which require administrative regulation. I believe ICASA can improve its position by making decisions far quicker. And this is where I could help."
In the meantime, Knott-Craig urges the regulator to pick up its pace.
"In this industry, speed is often more critical than the decision itself. If you are going to take forever to make a decision, then you might as well not bother. Just look at Cell C and Neotel; these companies would be in far better positions if the licensing process hadn't taken so damn long," he concludes.
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