“Data Must Fall” Says Communications Minister Siyabonga Cwele

Communication Minister Sybonga Cwele says South Africans must work together to ensure that the price of data falls.

Cwele briefed the media on his department’s annual budget on Thursday which focuses on the cost to communicate.

He says the departments cost to communicate programme is progressing well and is awaiting the release of the final report of the Competition Commission in June which will make recommendations on how much network operators can charge for data.

Last month, ICASA released the final regulations that network operators must send usage notifications to customers, allow them to roll over and transfer data and no longer automatically charge customers at expensive out-of-bundles usage rates without their specific permission.

“We have urged ICASA to prioritise broadband data market because Data Must Fall and we must work together to achieve this goal.”

Cwele says the Communications Department will also ensure the implemention phase one of a broadband rollout.

In 2018 we shall focus on connecting 570 sites, of which 327 will be completed by end of June. In this financial year, BBI will expand its fibre network by a further 1000km and increase its Points of Presence (POPs) to 176.”

Cwele also emphasised on how the cost of data in South Africa is still very high compared to other African countries.