Probe into SA’s high data costs

A market inquiry into high data costs in South Africa is on the horizon.

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel yesterday announced he would be asking the Competition Commission to conduct the probe. Patel cited The Economist newspaper, which published a story describing data as the world’s most valuable resource and a driver of growth and change.

“Yet the growth of this data-driven economy is constrained by high data costs, which affect users of cellphones and laptops and businesses, who require high volumes of data.”

The inquiry follows a public campaign against South Africa’s data costs, which are among the highest in the world.