The Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA), yesterday closed the window for submissions on whether free cellular handset upgrades should be scrapped. However, it could be some time before a final decision is made on the matter.
ICASA is conducting an inquiry into handset subsidies, stating that its main concern is that subsidies tied to contracts prevent consumers from switching networks, even when offered a better or cheaper service by another operator. ICASA gave the industry until 5 July to comment on the issue.
Nadia Bulbulia, head of the ICASA committee that is looking into the matter, says the last submission was received at the close of business yesterday and the committee will review the submissions over the next three weeks to two months.
The written submissions will soon be available for public consumption in the authority`s library. Thereafter, time will be allocated for the public and interested parties to present ICASA with verbal submissions on the matter.
Bulbulia says ICASA will not make any public statements as to the nature of the submissions and its views about them for fear of pre-empting the end result.
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