Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson yesterday blamed SA`s established mobile operators for the delays to mobile number portability (MNP) implementation, saying it generally took other countries about two months to launch the process.
Branson, speaking to journalists from inside a cage to illustrate how local mobile operators "lock-in" subscribers, said MNP would do more for competition in the South African telecoms markets "than anything else".
The press conference was part of Virgin`s ongoing campaign to ensure MNP is implemented in SA, without further delays.
The implementation of MNP has already seen two delays this year, and is now set for 10 November. Virgin Mobile, which launched in SA in June, has been campaigning for MNP to be introduced from the outset.
SA is one of the last countries to introduce MNP, Branson stated, adding that while established operators - Vodacom, MTN and Cell C - know that not many people are likely to port their numbers in any case, they have a stranglehold on the local market.
"They are powerful," he commented.
Difficult for ICASA
This makes it difficult for the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to stand up to them. However, Branson seems to have softened his stance on the telecoms regulator, saying ICASA appears to be serious about meeting the November deadline.
He was alluding to comments made by ICASA chairman Paris Mashile, who last month "put himself on the line" if MNP is not introduced by 10 November. "I`m laying myself on the line here. Hold me to 10 November - if it`s anything beyond that I`m prepared to be nailed to the scaffold," said Mashile.
But Branson said Virgin would much rather see the regulator keep his job and take a strong stance in the telecoms market, urging ICASA to issue the "biggest fine" possible if the established operators cannot make the deadline.
Commenting on the delays affecting Virgin Mobile`s subscriber base, Branson said the group could have done better if MNP was allowed, but stated it is "on track" with subscriber numbers. However, he refused to reveal exact numbers.
Responding to a question regarding interconnect fees, Virgin Mobile CEO Sajeed Sacranie noted that service providers could not do much about these, but said Virgin would do whatever it could to bring down the costs.
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