Electronic Communications Bill signed into law

The long-awaited signing of the Electronic Communications Bill has finally taken place, paving the way for cheaper telecommunications services that South Africa desperately needs.

Acting communications director at the department of communications Albi Modise confirmed to Moneyweb that the bill was signed by President Thabo Mbeki earlier this week. However, the date on which it will become law has yet to be announced, he said.

“The proclamation process depends on interaction between the department of communications and the presidency. I unfortunately could not say whether it would be days or weeks before its proclaimed,??? said Modise.

The next step would be for communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri to make her long-awaited policy directives, which are widely expected to deal with, among other things, the unbundling of the local loop (which basically means enabling competition on the last mile of equipment that links customers to the greater network).

One of the important aspects of this new Act is that it ought to pave the way to cheaper telecommunications services and innovation in the industry.  A copy of the Act is available for download by clicking here.

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