Icasa addresses data cost debate

Icasa has stepped into the ongoing war between consumers and network providers over the high cost of data. The communications regulator has published a notice of its intention to conduct an inquiry to determine the priority markets in the electronic communications sector. A report on the Fin24 site notes that the notice forms part of a number of initiatives Icasa is involved in to address the high cost of communication in SA, including data costs. The authority is currently in consultation with other regulatory bodies such as the National Consumer Commission and the Competition Commission to find ways in which data costs can be further reduced to benefit consumers. Icasa said in a statement that the purpose of the inquiry is to ‘identify relevant wholesale and retail markets or market segments in the telecommunications sector that are generally prone to regulation’.