Data Must Fall, Parliament hears
Parliament has accepted a petition and heard submissions on the high cost of data by mobile operators in the country.
A Data Must Fall movement has recently been formed with a petition taken to Parliament in an effort to have data costs slashed.
Public hearings were held yesterday where ICASA and data service providers were present.
Network operators have been given a 30-day ultimatum by the general public to lower data costs or risk losing some business.
Addressing those present, the EFF's Lehlohonolo Mokoena said high data costs are affecting the poor.
"Telecommunications is affecting peoples' lives in their own homes and business is not taking these things seriously. They are telling us that they are investing R8-billion. We know that they making in excess of R8-billion in revenue. These are the things that will then force us to say that businesses are not taking this country seriously," he said.
Spearheaded by radio personalities Tbo Touch and Gareth Cliff - the campaign that has gained momentum on social media.
#DataMustFall is part of the Western Cape Govt's Broadband gamechanger. Schools will have free internet access. https://t.co/mzL7bv5Ajb
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) September 19, 2016
#DataMustFall refuses to vanish, it's a serious issue and I dare say operators silence is rude, they have to change the status quo.
— KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) September 18, 2016
The #CWU has declared its support for the #DataMustFall campaign which was brought to attention by DJ personality Tbo Touch.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) September 15, 2016
#DataMustFall #CWU: It's a fact that SA is ranked as one of the Countries with high cellphone tariff in comparison to other African states.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) September 15, 2016