The Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), an industry body representing major telecommunications companies in South Africa (SA) , is calling on global over-the-top platforms such as Netflix, WhatsApp and YouTube to contribute financially to the country’s network infrastructure.
ACT, whose members include Cell C, Liquid, MTN, Rain, Telkom and Vodacom, argues that these digital platforms generate more than 70% of online traffic in South Africa, placing significant strain on existing networks. The organisation has proposed a so-called “Fair Share” or “Fair Contribution” model, under which large content providers would help fund the building and upgrading of telecoms infrastructure.
Tech Analyst Brendon Petersen says while the proposal aims to support long-term network sustainability, some mobile operators are concerned about the potential knock-on effects for consumers.
“Cell C’s argument is that they don’t want this to end up in a space where the consumer has to pay more to use these services,” Petersen said. He added that there are also fears that such costs could “stifle innovation or outright drive companies away from wanting to establish services and create employment in the country.”
The debate comes amid growing global discussions about how to fairly distribute the costs of maintaining digital infrastructure as demand for data-heavy services continues to rise. In SA, industry players say any solution must balance investment needs with affordability and innovation.
–ChannelAfrica–
