Tbo Touch and Cliff call for end to high data costs
RADIO personalities Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe and his business partner Gareth Cliff have taken their fight against high data costs to Parliament where they pleaded with MPs to support their cause.
Molefe described the pricing as “daylight robbery”, and called for network companies to be held accountable for high costs through regulation and other means.
Molefe’s submission was one of several made by interested and affected parties and organisations.
Molefe, who had Twitter abuzz last week with his #DataMustFall campaign, was the last to address the public hearings yesterday.
The major networks are expected to make their submissions today.
“The biggest challenge Touch Central faces is the very high data prices attached to its operation and accessibility to its audience. Majority of South Africans cannot afford to listen to Touch Central because they need to stream it live from the internet. The citizens of South Africa have asked Touch Central to stand against the high data rates of SA and to pursue a more affordable resolution to gain internet access at an affordable rate,” Molefe said.
Molefe was accompanied by Cliff, who said there was a “philosophical element” linked to the cost of data and the hearings were an opportunity to “emancipate” a huge number of women and children who were not able to communicate.
“We are not in battle against networks and we are not in battle against the government,” said Cliff.
University of the Western Cape SRC president Lukhanyiso Matebese said students could not study properly and do research.
“Your whole life as student at UWC, if you do not have data, it comes to a standstill. With the rape culture, it’s not safe to access the library at night. It’s extremely unsafe for us to access the library.”
Telecommunications and postal services acting director-general Joe Mjwara said the high prices from voice calls and text messages have now shifted to data costs to “maintain the profit margins of network operators”.
Deputy director-general responsible for ICT policy development, Willie Vukela, said Minister Siyabonga Cele had issued a policy directive to Icasa on the reduction of data costs.