Governance of Telecommunications – Two Decades of Reform in in South Africa

Abstract

Twenty years of telecommunications under an ANC government has seen a dramatic rise in access to telephony, as a result of the success of two mobile network operators: MTN and Vodacom. By comparison, the efforts of government have been disappointing in policy formulation, in regulation, in collection of statistics and in the interventions of the various state-owned enterprises (Infraco, Telkom, & Sentech). In particular, Telkom has admitted its abuse of dominance. Parliament failed to hold these bodies to account. The future looks promising as commercial operators work to meet the evident demand for, primarily wireless, broadband.

Keywords: Competition, Economy, Government, Governance, Liberalisation, Regulation, South Africa, Telecommunications, Universal Service

JEL Classification: N47, L96, G38, L43, H54, L98