The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) will hold its public hearings into its proposed ADSL regulations before the end of May, though firm dates have yet to be set, it says.
"ICASA will hold the hearings during the month of May - we understand the urgency of the matter," says councillor Mamodupi Mohlala.
Mohlala and N Bulbulia, the two ICASA councillors to chair the hearings, aim to "complete the process" and come to a concrete decision on the final form of the regulations before the end of June, she says.
Pricing models
The purpose of the hearings will be for ICASA to receive input to "further interrogate the [83] written submissions", as part of its regulation-making process, she explains.
Mohlala confirms ICASA will look at international price models, saying: "We don`t operate in a vacuum - so of course we would look at international best practices."
Though the closing date for the submission of written comments was 19 January, she says it has taken a long time to process the 83 submissions.
Focus areas
The hearings will focus on pricing, speeds, caps and contention rates, among other issues, she says.
Diane Mgoasheng, ICASA`s outgoing senior manager of the consumer protection department, earlier said 13 of the 83 parties who offered written submissions will have the opportunity to make verbal presentations at the hearings.
"It is important to emphasise that our fundamental approach is to ensure the consumer`s broadband needs are catered for," she adds.
She declined to offer any comment on present Telkom ADSL tariffs.
Fixed-line monopoly Telkom declined to answer questions on whether it is concerned about possible changes to pricing regulations, saying only: "We have submitted a response to the draft regulations, and are awaiting the outcome of the hearings."
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