Telecoms smellecoms (something smells in there)

It is the news that most Internet fanatics have been waiting for. And although the news is not cast in stone, the fact that Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri’s term as Minister of Communications might be coming to an end, is the light at the end of tunnel. If we couple this potential news with the recent news that Papi Moletsane is no longer in the hot seat at Telkom, the telecommuncations sector might be heading in a whole new direction.

Any commentator will agree that one of the main stumbling blocks to the development of South Africa is the expensive telecommunications, especially the expensive and slow Internet connections. And with this news one could argue that the regulations that are usually placed on telecommunications might be lifted.

Pessimists could argue the fact that even if these two are out of the picture the telecommunications in South Africa will no likely improve. However, couple the imminent departure of Matsepe-Cassaburri and Moletsane with Mbeki’s recent comments about the need for telecoms to play a key role in the country reaching its development goals, and a change is on the cards. So the dilemma we face is: Is there light at the end of the tunnel or is it just an oncoming train.