All three of the cellular network operators have signed independent agreements with each other to reduce the interconnection rate by 1 March.
They say this will increase competition and, therefore, lower cellular retail rates.
Today, MTN became the last of the big three cellular operators to say it had signed bilateral agreements with its main rivals, Vodacom and Cell C. The deal will result in a voluntary reduction in the interconnection rate, from 125c to 89c per minute during peak hours.
The other two had agreed earlier this month to cut their rates without conditions imposed on the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA).
MTN's statement says the agreements will be lodged with ICASA, once all the correct signatures have been secured.
ICASA chairman Paris Mashile says the regulator is awaiting the submission of the agreements before making any further comment.
The original conditions also included that the regulator would not examine the rate for a period of three years and this has been dropped.
“The agreements, we believe, are in full compliance of the Electronic Communications Act,” the spokesperson says.
A Cell C spokesperson says the agreements had to be reached independently, otherwise accusations of collusion could be levelled against them.
“These new agreements will help bring down the cost to communicate,” the spokesperson says.
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