Cheaper Data on the Cards for South Africans

Government is engaging with mobile operators on the best ways to reduce the high cost of data without interfering with the work of regulators, says Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

Government’s efforts follow the release of the Competition Commission’s market inquiry report into mobile data services, which found that South Africa’s data prices are excessively high.

The Minister said the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued an Information Memorandum on the licensing process for International Mobile Telecommunications Spectrum, which gives an opportunity for submissions to be made by 31 January 2020.

The release of high demand spectrum is an important step that gives effect to government’s policy objectives of ensuring broadband access for all, transformation of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, reduction of costs to communicate (particularly data costs), promotion of competition in the ICT sector and stimulation of inclusive economic growth.

Ndabeni-Abrahams on Thursday gave an update on the department’s key priorities, portfolio changes and institutional capacity building across the department and its entities.

Source: SAnews.gov.za