RETHINKING (RELUCTANT) CAPTURE: SOUTH AFRICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND THE IMPACT OF REGULATION

Abstract

The South African telecommunications sector has recently been the subject of renewed interest as it commences its second phase of liberalization and opens up its fixed line market to competition. With democracy in place since 1994, the challenge of economic and social development created by the ravages of apartheid required detailed government policy in every sector. Telecommunications was no exception. Since the promulgation of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, developmental objectives, particularly universal service, the advancement of small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and the economic empowerment of historically disadvantaged individuals have rivalled more pedestrian sectoral reform goals often given priority in other countries, such as the promotion of innovation and competition.