Vhembe Telecommunications and Kwetedza Telecoms are bidding for the underserviced area licence (USAL), to provide telecommunications services to the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo.
Vimla Maistry, Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) media and stakeholder liaison manager, says the public hearings were staged this week in Thohoyandou, where the bidders presented their proposals to a panel of adjudicators.
The adjudicators will deliberate on the applications and the winner will be announced as soon as the adjudication process is completed, says Maistry.
ICASA, the communications sector regulator, grants the USALs for small telecoms companies to roll-out services such as fixed mobile services and public pay phones to underserviced areas with a teledensity of less than 5%.
Since 2004, ICASA has issued licences to seven companies: Ilizwe Telecoms for the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, Bokamoso Communications for the Lejweleputswa District Municipality in the Free State, Thinta Telecoms for the Ugu District in KwaZulu-Natal, Karabotel for Central District in the North West province, Kingdom Communications for the Zululand District in KwaZulu-Natal, Bokone Telecoms for the Capricorn District in Limpopo and Amatole Communications for the Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
Bokone Telecoms, operating in the Capricorn District Municipality, is the only USAL operating in Limpopo.
According to the Limpopo province`s Web site, Vhembe District Municipality, with a population of about 1.1 million people, consists of four local municipalities: Musina, Mutale, Makhado and Thulamela. The district municipal capital is situated in Thohoyandou and the region accounts for about 16% of the province`s economy, states the site.
Related stories:
USAL companies still not independent
USAL hearings tomorrow
ICASA issues first USALs
Strong action recommended for telecoms reform
B-Tel ready for switch-on
Share