10 times the world average

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 17 May 2007

South Africans are currently paying 10 times as much for their broadband access as the world average. It seems that things will change for the better though when Infraco gets its licence from ICASA.
 
Earlier this week an adviser to the Department of Public Enterprises, Cornelis Groesbeek, ‘told MPs yesterday that South Africans currently paid 10 times as much for their broadband access as the world average, and 125 times as much as the level considered to be global best practice. But he expected costs to drop by 65 percent when Infraco gets its licence, and to continue falling by as much as 95 percent within five years’ (Telecoms costs to drop 65% when Icasa licenses Infraco, Hamlyn, Business Report, 17 May 2007).
 
In other words, Telkom is currently making a killing but that’s going to change when Infraco gets its licence.
 
How long will we have to wait?
 
Long although it might happen sooner.
 
‘Groesbeek's best guess was that the licensing process at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) would probably take another 18 months’ (Telecoms costs to drop 65% when Icasa licenses Infraco, Hamlyn, Business Report, 17 May 2007).
 
In other words, if Goesbeek’s best guess means something we will need to wait another year and a half to see action in this regard.
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) hopes the Speedy Gonzales at ICASA wakes up and make our day. “Arriba, Arriba.”