Brief
Ispa questions government commitment to lowering South Africa’s communication costs
Ispa says the Department of Communications and regulator Icasa have not shown the ability or will to make devices and data affordable.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Internet Service Providers’ Association (Ispa) has asked whether lowering the cost of communication remains a priority for South Africa’s government, citing a lack of concrete action from the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies and the regulator Icasa.
What happened
Ispa released a statement on Monday highlighting that, while data prices are falling, the overall cost of getting online – including devices – still requires urgent attention. The association noted that the department has listed a cost‑to‑communicate programme among its deliverables for years but has offered no clear plan. It also pointed to Icasa’s mixed record, including a market inquiry into telecom affordability that was withdrawn and re‑issued on 30 September, with findings not expected before 2027.
What the reports add
The statement references the Competition Commission’s 2019 data services market inquiry, which found mobile data pricing to be anti‑poor and led to cuts in entry‑level bundles. Icasa’s later reforms on data rollover and out‑of‑bundle charges are noted, though the regulator’s recent amendments to the end‑user service charter are being challenged in the High Court by MTN and Vodacom and are set to take effect on 23 January 2027.
What was said
Ispa chair Sasha Booth‑Beharilal said, “Reducing the cost to communicate is key to poverty reduction. As a start, South Africa needs firm action on providing a free basic data allowance to those falling below the poverty line.” She added that such a measure is already part of the National Infrastructure Plan and National Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy.
How it came about
The concerns follow a series of regulatory steps: the 2017 Competition Commission inquiry, Icasa’s own priority‑markets and mobile broadband inquiries, a departmental tender in August to study past interventions, and the September market inquiry that was later withdrawn. Ispa argues that despite these efforts, the lack of a clear, funded programme means the cost‑to‑communicate issue remains unresolved.
Key facts
- Ispa questioned whether lowering communication costs is still a government priority. (techcentral.co.za)
- The Department of Communications & Digital Technologies has listed a cost‑to‑communicate programme among its deliverables for years without a clear plan. (techcentral.co.za)
- Icasa’s latest amendments to the end‑user service charter are being challenged by MTN and Vodacom and are due to take effect on 23 January 2027. (techcentral.co.za)
- Ispa chair Sasha Booth‑Beharilal called for a free basic data allowance for people below the poverty line. (techcentral.co.za)
- The Competition Commission’s 2019 inquiry found mobile data pricing anti‑poor and secured cuts to entry‑level bundles. (techcentral.co.za)
Sources
- [1] techcentral.co.za — originally reported as “Ispa asks if government still cares about the cost to communicate”
