FXI People’s Forum on access to basic telecommunications

The Freedom of Expression Institute will be organizing the People’s Forum on Communication Rights on Saturday 10 September 2005 in the Central Methodist Church In Johannesburg. During the forum members of different communities and social movements will be able to discuss access to basic telecommunications with representatives of organizations and companies that operate in telecommunications sector.

FXI is deeply disturbed that some important players in the field of telecommunications have indicated that they will not attend the People’s Forum. The Department of Communications failed to respond to the invitation and Telkom and Cell C have declined. This is highly remarkable as these organizations and operators claim to be serving the community. However, now that they can show their concern, they completely fail to avail themselves.

FXI organizes the forum as it is concerned about the lack of access to basic telecommunication facilities in many South African households. While everyone’s right to receive and impart information is laid down in Section 16.1.b of the South African Constitution Act, many South Africans still do not have the means to realize this right.

Today, numerous households do not have access to basic telecommunication services. There are still whole villages and communities in the country without a single fixed telephone line. Through our outreach program it became clear that especially rural and semi-rural areas and poor communities lack the required infrastructure for landlines. Telecommunications operators have appeared to be reluctant to roll out lines in these areas because they are not economically viable.

People in underserved areas who have mobile phones also face trouble accessing telecommunications, as the signal in those areas is very week or even absent. Moreover, in some areas all the installed telephone lines have been disconnected because people simply could not afford the service.

In order to be able to afford the costs, people are encouraged to install pre-paid telephones. However, prices still appear unaffordable as pre-paid telecommunication leave users with hidden costs. Telecommunication companies charge the pre-paid users a weekly rental. The costs for rent will be withheld from the pre-paid cards that people have to buy to make a phone call. The inability to afford these costs force many people to stop using their telephones, which violates their right to impart and receive information.

FXI is also deeply disturbed by the fact that mobile phone costs are still excessive. The introduction of competition, and the existence of more operators in the telecommunications sector did not have had a downward effect on the prices. A study by ICASA on mobile phone tariffs proves that mobile prices in South Africa are relatively higher than almost any other county in the world with a similar sector.

As people in the lower end are not able to afford the costs for contract or postpaid mobile telecommunication, they have to rely on pre-paid packages. However, poor people are being made to bear excessively high pre-paid costs. Pre-paid users are charged with higher rates in contrast to post-paid users. In a way we can say that the poor people subsidize the post-paid users, which – paradoxically- are the people who can afford a contract. Next to that South African operators charge SIM-card fees, which get deducted from the pre-paid cards. 

FXI will further address the ICASA inquiry on high cellphone prices during the People’s Forum and will take the outcomes of the People’s Forum into account when commenting on the ICASA document on the review of mobile prices.

It is our considered view that in order to overcome a further divide between the information haves and information have-nots, everyone should have the means to realize the right to receive and impart information. Section 16.b.1 should not only be put on paper, but also put into practice. FXI therefore urges the government and accountable organizations and companies in the telecommunication sector to take responsibility and to make sure that everyone has affordable access to telecommunication. 

The People’s Forum on Communication Rights:

Date: Saturday 10 September from 9.00 A.M. to 14.00 P.M.
Place: Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg , 79 Pritchard Street

For further information, contact Virginia Setshedi, FXI, tel: (083) 557 1339, e-mail: virginia@fxi.org.za.

FXI, Tel: +27 (0)11 4038403/4, Address:  21^st floor Sable Centre, 41 De Korte Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa.