The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) released its findings regarding Telkom�s ADSL service in yesterday�s Government Gazette.

ICASA decided to launch an investigation into Telkom�s ADSL service after numerous complaints were lodged with the regulator.

Telkom�s response to the complaints was that they are not the only operator offering broadband and felt it unfair to be the only operator under investigation.

ICASA�s countered that the complaints lodged referred only to Telkom�s services and that the �nature and volume of these complaints necessitated a need to examine the nature, manner and quality of the ADSL service.�

The hearing took place in April this year and culminated in the recently released report.

The report is extensive and a copy is available on the MyADSL Forums, but here are some of the findings.

The report begins by addressing one of the most pressing concerns for subscribers, cost.

ICASA notes that bandwidth costs are decreasing worldwide but that this trend has not filtered down to South Africa.

The Authority clearly states its intention to resume investigations into the costs on international bandwidth and is currently revisiting the enquiry into the Undersea Cables.

The report also states that whilst many presenters argued that South Africa is unique in separating the access from the Internet charge �Telkom appeared unaware that it is common practice internationally to charge a single fee�.

ICASA found that 81% of subscribers would like to pay for one line rental as duplication of payment is not justifiable.

The proposed compromise presented by MyADSL to the panel that Telkom be entitled to charge a once off access charge and thereafter charge only for line rental to be fair.

The report states that Telkom shall only levy a once off inception charge and that charges further are limited to line rental. A Price Cap Review will also be implemented by ICASA.

The 3G cap is another contentious issue which the report tackles head on.

Initially Telkom stated that the 3G cap was enforced by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) but after Geoff Rehmet from Internet Solutions (IS) probed deeper Telkom admitted that the capping actually did take place within the PSTN network and not the ISP networks.

Once it was established that Telkom does indeed enforce the cap ICASA progressed to discover what constituted �abuse� of the ADSL service.

According to the report a total of 71% of subscribers responded that Telkom regards maximum use of the service as abuse.

After examining internationally accepted definitions regarding the uses of ADSL, ICASA stated that Telkom�s restricted list of the uses of ADSL is not legally justifiable.

The Authority believes that, �a regulation is required to increase the cap on ADSL services in line with international standards of the service.�

ICASA adds that, �it is important to emphasise that 3Gbyte appears wholly inadequate for the needs of subscribers by international comparisons.�

All in all the report reaffirms the need to make ADSL services more affordable and internationally comparable. The drive from subscribers for a cheaper ADSL service and more bandwidth is supported by ICASA. This support is coupled with a promise of tangible action.

ICASA concludes with, �The Authority therefore undertakes to embark on a regulation making process within four weeks of publication of this findings document in order to ensure provision of a consumer relevant, cost effective and affordable ADSL service.�

Source: www.myadsl.co.za