ICASA: Change needed but not at a greater cost

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 26 July 2010

ICASA (Independent Communications Authority) is notorious for its unwillingness or inability to help level the telecoms playing field in South Africa due to various reasons, but the proposed ICASA Amendment Bill is in the opinion of ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) and others unconstitutional and a step in the wrong direction.

Government is seeking control…

The South African Constitution makes it clear that ICASA needs to be an independent authority, but if one considers the proposed ICASA Amendment Bill then it’s clear that the Department of Communications is seeking full control over ICASA despite propaganda to the contrary.

We all know that ICASA’s effectiveness needs to be increased, but ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is of the opinion that it should not come at a greater cost than the damage already done by ICASA's unwillingness or unability to act. To give government full control over ICASA by dragging it under the wings of the Department of Communications is the last thing you want to do. This will leave the door wide open for further abuse of authority. It has not worked elsewhere in the world and chances are good that it will not work in South Africa either, especially if one considers the high levels of abuse in other authorities under control of the ANC government.

In other words, changes are needed at ICASA to form it into a more effective instrument serving the nation, but its independence is of critical importance if we want to make any progress.

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