The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) thinks revenues in the telecommunications industry could grow by more than R1bn through local-loop unbundling.
This can be used to retain jobs in the sector and fund further network expansion of fixed-line broadband infrastructure, says Icasa councillor Thabo Makhakhe.
“We believe the ‘size of the pie’ may be increased by over R1bn, which may be generated in new revenue and shared by the operators every year just by achieving full utilisation of the [asymmetric digital subscriber line] (ADSL) network,” he says. “This revenue may be used not only to retain jobs, but to fund further network expansion to increase of the scope of ADSL capabilities in the network.
The authority, which published a discussion document on local-loop unbundling on Wednesday morning, says it will meet a deadline of November 2011 to publish local-loop unbundling regulations, which will give Telkom’s rivals access, in some form, to the company’s “last mile” of copper infrastructure. Communications minister Roy Padayachie has said previously he wants the full unbundling process to be completed by no later than November.
Icasa’s document proposes four models for unbundling. The authority has requested verbal feedback from telecoms licensees between 15 and 26 August. Written submissions are due by 14 September. — Duncan McLeod, TechCentral
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