Telkom has no immediate plans to cut the cost of calls to mobile phones, despite a sharp fall in the rate mobile operators are permitted to charge the other operators to terminate calls on their networks. The rate cut is effective 1 March.
Mobile termination rates were cut from 73c/minute to 56c/minute at midnight on Wednesday evening as part of a three-year process to reduce the tariffs in an effort meant to help drive down retail tariffs in the industry.
But, like last year, Telkom says it won’t immediately implement any price cuts, saying if lower prices for mobile calls are introduced, these will only happen after the operator files its annual tariffs with the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) later this year.
“Telkom has not adjusted any tariffs today. Changes to Telkom’s tariffs are subject to a filing process undertaken with Icasa and annual retail tariff adjustments are usually effective on 1 August. Telkom will make announcements regarding any adjustments in alignment with the requirements of this process,” says a company spokesman.
On Thursday, Neotel became the first operator to cut the fees it charges, cutting both fixed-line and mobile call charges. It now charges R1,05/minute for mobile calls during peak times and 94c/minute in off-peak periods. — Staff reporter, TechCentral
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