The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) is addressing consumer protection issues by setting up a consumer advisory panel.
The consumer advisory panel will begin operations by the fourth quarter of the year, following the development of regulations that will govern its set-up, calling for nominations and the appointment of members.
The panel will be made up of a minimum of nine and maximum of 13 representatives from stakeholders, including consumer advocacy organisations, equipment manufacturers, government, the small and medium enterprise sector, and large corporates, says ICASA spokesman Sekgoela Sekgoela.
ICASA already has a consumer complaints committee that addresses issues as they arise, he says. However, ICASA intends to gain insight into ICT consumer matters to the extent that it can also address matters proactively, he says.
The consumer advisory panel will also play a role in ensuring consumers are involved in the development of ICT regulations and policies, he adds.
Invitation to comment
To initiate the process, ICASA has published draft regulations that outline how the consumer advisory is to be set up, as well as its structure and role. The draft regulations are available on ICASA's Web site.
These draft regulations ask the South African public and interested parties whether the prescribed composition of the consumer advisory panel, the way the panel will function and its role, are acceptable, Sekgoela says.
Comments should reach the regulator by 9 July, with final regulations scheduled for publication by 3 August at the latest, he added.
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