Icasa urged to cut 'excessive' cellphone call charges

It's about bloody time! We're at the mercy of the big corporations if we don't get help from the government. Look at the exorbitant charges from banks. People who have never seen what the costs are of these services elsewhere in the world would think it's normal, but it's an absolute disgrace! What is the alternative - put our money under our beds and not use a cell phone in the competitive business environment in the modern world? The media should do an expose on these criminals who run these companies. The majority of South Africans are already poor, and now they want to milk the last drops of money out of them. I say let their heads roll!

I fully endorse what Johan has said above. When will South Africans wake up to the reality of being exploited unscrupulously by these darn capitalist pigs? And I'll bet there are many among them who go to church every Sunday, too. Ulrich Beck has urged people/consumers worldwide to use the power they have to bring down unconscionable prices, namely, their power NOT to buy. I only rarely use my mobile phone, and then only for sms's, and only VERY rarely for phoning, when it is an absolute emergency. When cell phone companies phone me to try and sell me a contract, I tell them that their fees are obscene, compared to many other countries - even in the US, the haven of capitalism, mobile phone calls are cheaper than landline calls. Until when will these exploiters be allowed to grow filthy rich from a gullible public? And when will the public stop being so gullible and accepting of exploitative company behaviour? The managing directors of these companise should be charged with criminal behaviour. Are South Africans even aware that we have now replaced Brazil as the most UNEQUAL society in the world? What an infamy! I applaud Patricia De Lille for her stance on this matter - ICASA, get your backside into gear!

I agree that the cell phone charges should be reduce now.All this companies are doing billions at our expense,they milk as much as they could is time to give us good service and prices that everyone can afford.I say this should be done in the next month,what is the problem of reducing prices?The price should be in relation as other countries like India,they have a good price and the companies are still making money.

Other services that must reduce prices are banks,they are making mega bucks with the little money we can save and are charging to much for their services.

DSTV is another that is very expensive,we need lower prices and better programs,it would be good if they will get some competition.

can the MPs now pass a resolution to cut excessive spending by government ministers on cars and six star hotels. For heavens sake, why would someone need a car allowance when they earn R1.8 M a year??? and why would someone hold a conference in a six star hotels when there is goverment departments buildings????

The ANC must go...come 2011, I am going to negatively infleunce people to vote against corruption. I may not know many people, but twenty votes is a lot!!!

I agree that phone cost must come down. It must the cynical in me, but why are the government only doing something about it now? Could it be that they have sold vodacom (through telkom) off so it's not them making the profits anymore? And why aren't they as vocal about telkom's huge rip off and exorbitant prices????And why not go after the banks and their huge pricing? Could it be that they earn vat on every transaction that we are charged for? Bloody bunch of hypocrates. Not one bit intersted in joe public. Only go after private business to "look" good.

KuasM, for once can you please stop of been obvoius and applaude the govt for what they have done with celphone rates, instead of been irrelavant as always and hammer the Anc evreytime you got a chance,you can never see somting good in the ruling party ne, news flash ''sweet hurts'' it giong to take forver for the Anc to be out of the govt , cause there is no alternative Party that is fit to rule this country, maybe after the year 2099...

At last something foer the people of Mzanzi.I have always asked nyself how posible is it that the country can be charged this much for the poor service provided by this cellphone companies,i have ported my number from MTN to Vodacom thinking maybe the service is better but boy was I only fooling myself.

This was the worsed move I ever made in my life.Service and Vodacom are like north and south,then comes the banks that are milking the poor South African of the last life wire in our bodies