New telecoms bill is bad news for the economy, says Vodacom
Mobile operator warns Electronic Communications Amendment Bill will have indirect effects on GDP, employment and tax income
Mobile operator Vodacom has warned that any moves to regulate infrastructure sharing in the telecoms sector will have a devastating effect on the wider economy, including employment and tax income in SA. Parliament’s telecommunications and postal services committee concluded its public hearings on the controversial Electronic Communications Amendment Bill on Friday. One of the most contentious proposals is the establishment of a wireless open-access network (Woan), which the government says is aimed at driving down communications costs by facilitating the entry of more players. It says the bill is also intended to improve competition, regulation and infrastructure sharing in the sector amid a spectrum crunch. The bill further proposes that a service provider with “significant market power”, or at least 25% of SA’s network infrastructure, has to share its infrastructure with competitors. According to the bill communications regulator the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Ic...
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