South African minister appeals gateway judgment

South Africa's Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casabburi is challenging the High Court judgment allowing telecom companies to build their own networks.

South Africa has more than 300 data and voice carriers, which the South African government and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) have not allowed to build their own networks.

Last month, the Pretoria High Court ruled that any company holding a value-added network service license has the right to self-provide, rather than being forced to buy backbones from the government-run Telkom and Neotel companies. The judgment followed legal action by Altech, a South African telecom.

“I have decided to mount a challenge of the judgment after due consideration,” Matsepe-Casabburi said.

ICASA, however, has already begun issuing new telecom licenses that permit operators to build their own networks in line with the court’s ruling.

The appeal by Matsepe-Casabburi will now delay the issuance of the new licenses to service providers.

Matsepe-Casabburi wants only a few service providers to receive two new licenses, one that allows them to build their own networks and one allowing them to offer electronic communication services.