The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

ID President Patricia de Lille has called the reduction in cell phone interconnection rates, due to take effect in just 2 days, ‘a victory for South African consumers.'

The ID Leader's successful campaign to bring down telecommunication costs, which she launched in July last year, saw her meeting with the Competition Commission and Icasa, both of which were also given letters of complaint from her and the public. The Competition Commission is still investigating her complaint of possible collusion with regards to interconnection rates.

‘The fact that interconnection rates will come down from R1.25 to 89c at the end of this month is proof that an ordinary consumer like me can take on the might of any companies, no matter how big, when they try to rip us off,' Ms De Lille says.

‘Consumers are reeling from a series of price increases, many of which have not been their own doing and are the result of either Government incompetence, as in the case of electricity price increases, or the greed of some big businesses, and this victory is proof that power lies with us.

‘All we have to do is use it,' says De Lille.

‘By getting the support of other parties in the communications committee I was able to achieve justice for South Africans and in some cases retail prices have already come down 40% from where they were in July last year.

‘This is a direct result of the ID's campaign, which will result in South Africans saving billions in cell phone call costs,' De Lille says.

‘I would also like to thank the countless patriotic South Africans that sent letters to us to forward to Icasa and the Competition Commission and that gave us their valuable input or support in any other way.

‘We are looking forward to a further decrease in the interconnection rate in June, once Icasa has completed the process,' says De Lille