JOHANNESBURG, February 2 (ANA) - The Competition Commission is making headway in its engagement with cellphone network operators on high data prices and the deadline to reduce prices has been extended by a month, the commission said on Sunday.
The commission released its Data Services Market Inquiry final report with findings and recommendations on 2 December 2019.
The report, among many other things, recommended that two mobile network operators, Vodacom and MTN, reach agreement within two months with the commission to reduce data prices, particularly for monthly bundles, and to address the structure of data pricing, reducing the cost per MB for smaller sub-1GB bundles relative to the 1GB price.
Further, the report also recommended that these operators reach an agreement with the commission on other pro-poor measures within three months, including free data and zero-rating of public benefit organisations, the commission said.
"Following the announcement, the commission has separately had productive engagements with the two operators, Vodacom and MTN, as well as other affected MNOs [mobile network operators] with regards to the findings and recommendations.
"Given that the engagements with the operators are at an advanced stage, the commission has decided to extend the two-month deadline by one month to allow sufficient time to conclude these engagements," the statement said.
- African News Agency (ANA)
