[Johannesburg, 2 September 2004] -
Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri announced today
that as of 1 February, value-added network service (VANS)
providers will be allowed to carry voice using any protocol.
This means that thanks to the changes made
to the Telecommunications Act, the long-awaited legalisation
of voice over IP will finally be realised early next year.
“Because of technological developments,
there is no longer any difference in the transmission of
voice, video and data, therefore it is no longer necessary to
prohibit the provision of voice by VANS,” says
Matsepe-Casaburri.
Another change allows for self-provision
and greater choice for mobile operators, which may now utilise
any fixed lines that may be required for the provision of the
service, including fixed lines made available by Telkom or any
other person providing a public switched telecommunication
service.
Other changes include:
* Provision of public pay phones. Any
person may now apply for a licence to provide public pay phone
services in any area of the republic. “The department is
considering the removal of licensing requirements to provide
these services.”
* Cession of telecommunications services
via VANS. From next year, a person who provides a value-added
network service shall be entitled to cede or assign the right
to use, or to sublet or part with control or otherwise dispose
of the telecommunications facilities used for the provision of
the value-added network service.
* Private telecommunications network
operators shall be entitled to resell spare capacity and
facilities or to cede or assign his or her rights to use such
facilities or to sublet or otherwise part with control
thereof. The minister says allowing these facilities to be
resold would promote optimal usage of the total
telecommunications infrastructure in SA and increase access to
communities and consumers.
* As from 18 January 2005, public schools
and further education training institutions will be entitled
to a 50% discount on: all telecommunications calls to an
Internet service provider (ISP), any connection or similar
fees or charges levied by an ISP for accessing the Internet or
transmitting and receiving any signals via the Internet or for
such access and transmission and reception.
