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Johannesburg - A meeting on Tuesday between the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) and telecommunications companies about interconnect charges got off to a precarious start when the regulator barred journalists from attending the event.
Interconnect charges refer to the rates charged by networks for carrying calls on behalf of each other. SA networks levy some of the highest interconnect fees in the world.
Technology journalist Duncan McLeod said he was asked to leave the meeting, after being told it was a "private" matter by MTN SA CEO Karel Pienaar. The meeting was attended by officials from Neotel, Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C.
"It's completely ridiculous that journalists are not allowed to attend events like this," said McLeod. "It's counter to the transparency that Icasa should be promoting."
Icasa said it would not comment on McLeod's exclusion or the outcome of the meeting until an official statement had been prepared.
Artificial charge
Stephen Ambrose, MD of IT research and consulting agency World Wide Worx, said interconnect rates are "articificial charges" levied simply because "they could be". "There doesn't seem to be any solid business model for it. Simply put: a zero interconnect rate is entirely possible," said Ambrose.
He said all networks must be in agreement about these rates, and collectively reduce them to benefit consumers and facilitate competition in the sector.
- Fin24.com