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ISPA welcomes ICASA transparency
On behalf of its 126 members, the Internet Service Providers’ Association of SA (ISPA) has welcomed the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA)’s public call for input regarding the ADSL regulations, published in the Government Gazette in August 2006. Many ISPA members provide ADSL services to South African Internet consumers.
ADSL regulations issued last year by ICASA have been criticised for being unclear and for not dealing with key concerns, including the wholesale pricing of ADSL. According to a press statement issued on Tuesday, 20 February 2006, ISPA is heartened by recent comments by ICASA’s chairman that the ADSL regulations are under review.
Speaks volumes
“ICASA’s willingness to engage stakeholders both prior and subsequent to the publishing of the ADSL regulations speaks volumes of the regulator’s intent to eventually arrive at a clear and equitable set of regulations,” says Richard Heath, chair of ISPA’s Regulatory Submissions Working Group.
“Clearly, there is plenty of room for improvement in the current regulations. We hope ICASA will move quickly to clarify them and produce revised regulations that can be used to grow the broadband market for the benefit of all South Africans.”
ISPA acknowledges that regulating the broadband market can be as challenging as providing a quality broadband product when one is forced to source the raw material from a single supplier.
Letter to ICASA
In order to assist ICASA in pursuing its challenging mandate, ISPA’s recently-submitted letter to the regulator outlines both technical and substantive issues relating to the ADSL regulations. ISPA points out that many of the issues mentioned in the ADSL regulations are beyond the control of ISPs. It is impossible for reseller ISPs to fully comply with the regulations when their supplier is not committed to compliance.
“ISPA remains of the view that the regulations have the potential to address fundamental shortcomings relating to the provision of ADSL in South Africa and wishes to emphasise its desire to work with the ICASA in ensuring that the regulations play their intended role,” concludes Heath.
ICASA has acknowledged receipt of and thanked ISPA for the letter.
