SA’s #datamustfall campaign gets backing from Parliament: reduce data or we will reduce it for you

The #datamustfall campaign advocating for the reduction of data pricing in South Africa has received a major endorsement from its Parliament with major mobile operators (Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C) given up to the end of November 2016 to review data pricing or have it done for them through its National Assembly (body mandated to pass legislation).

The stern warning was announced on the back of Thabo Molefe’s (campaign spearhead) presentation to SA’s parliamentary portfolio committee on telecommunications and postal services. According to IOL, the Chairwoman of the committee offered the following remarks: 

Operators can individually restructure their data plans between now and November or wait for our recommendation when we would make a pronouncement on what should happen with the high data prices…

If they do not get back to us by November with restructured data plans, the committee will compile a report and send it to the National Assembly…

The committee conducted two-day hearings last week on the subject of mobile data costs in South Africa, which saw submissions from the Department of Communications, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), civil society organisations, telecoms operators and the public, all probing for the reduction of data costs. 

South Africans #datamustfall campaign comes from subscribers aggrieved of having to pay on average R150 for 1GB of mobile data, a paltry figure in comparison to Zimbabweans paying $30 for 1GB, which is R411.03, over double what South Africans are paying according to today’s exchange rate.

We have engaged POTRAZ, Econet, Telecel and NetOne to provide their opinions and reasons for the high costs of data in Zimbabwe and will provide their feedback in due course.

It is interesting that South Africa’s parliament has taken a tuff stance on mobile data costs and not succumbed to pressure from telecoms lobbying groups. Clearly, access to affordable mobile data has become an issue of National concern, and the subscriber’s happiness a key issue for the parliament to consider.

Zimbabwe is yet to create its own campaign for the reduction of mobile data costs, but progress being made across the border is a testament to what can be achieved if we do.