Telecoms

Regulatory standoff between Potraz and Mobile Network Operators in Zimbabwe

Regulatory standoff between Potraz and Mobile Network Operators in Zimbabwe

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) set floor prices for data and voice services including promotional packages, effective in January 2017. The floor prices are set at $0.12 per minute for voice services, and $0.02 per megabyte for data. Initially data prices were below $0.01 per megabyte.

Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) rules on USSD Pricing

Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) rules on USSD Pricing

The Competition Authority of Kenya has ordered all mobile money service providers, including Safaricom, to disclose all mobile money service fees payable by consumers for USSD (unstructured supplementary service data) based transactions.

Is infrastructure sharing a game changer in Zimbabwean telecoms?

Is infrastructure sharing a game changer in Zimbabwean telecoms?

Nicholas Nhundu

Econet Wireless is the dominant player in the Zimbabwean mobile telecoms industry with a total of 6.5 million active subscribers in 2014 while NetOne and Telecel held 3.2 million and 2.1 million, respectively.1 In order to promote investment and enhance competition, the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is in the process of finalizing infrastructure sharing rules for broadband and other ICT infrastructure which are expected to be implemented by August 2015.

Then and now: The Telkom and Business Connexion Merger

Then and now: The Telkom and Business Connexion Merger

Lauralyn Kaziboni

In 2007, the Competition Tribunal of South Africa (“Tribunal”) prohibited the merger between Telkom SOC SA Limited (“Telkom”) and Business Connexion (“BCX”), following a recommendation for prohibition from the Competition Commission of South Africa (“Commission”). At this time, Telkom was the de facto monopoly provider of fixed line infrastructure and services and BCX was an ICT provider.

Leveling the playing field: asymmetry in call termination rates in SA

Leveling the playing field: asymmetry in call termination rates in SA

Anthea Paelo

In a public seminar hosted by CCRED in June 2014, panelists from different telecommunications companies debated the revised call termination rates announced by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), with some arguing that the severe reductions in rates overall, although necessary, would significantly reduce revenue to operators.