Minister Solly Malatsi describes ICASA’s regulatory moves on mobile data expiry as a useful intervention to bring down the cost to communicate and ensure consumers receive full value for money.
South Africans are paying only slightly more for wireless internet services today than they did in 2022, says the Competition Commission.
Licensees are on track to ensure 50% of schools, clinics, hospitals and libraries are connected by 31 March 2025, says ICASA.
The comms ministry will “progressively work on policy to drive the reduction of cost to communicate in SA”.
The president and comms minister emphasise the fulfilment of social obligations by telcos now that the spectrum auction has been concluded.
The African National Congress’s 8 January statement puts implementing digital migration and access to broadband among its key economic priorities in 2022.
The communications department will investigate the feasibility of developing regulatory, policy and/or strategy changes that could lower the cost to communicate.
The Technology Innovation Agency supports Gauteng-based start-up FibrePoynt to develop antenna-based high-speed fixed Internet.
SA deprived of better coverage and lower data prices
On 13 April, the Free Market Foundation presented its 2021 SEIA report that detailed the ways in which the South African government's ICT policy is potentially harming the consumer.
Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C drop their data prices, saying this will drive digital transformation in response to the consequences of COVID-19.
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams signs a performance agreement, agreeing to ensure 80% of the population has access to the Internet in the next four years.
High-demand spectrum is going to be a boon for innovators in the digital economy, said MTN SA CEO Godfrey Motsa at last night’s MTN Business App of the Year Awards.
The mobile operator has reduced postpaid data bundles by 70%, while its prepaid package has been reduced by 32%.