FFPlus: Statement by Anton Alberts, Freedom Front Plus spokesperson, on cell phone cost investigation (20/10/2009)

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Published: 20 Oct 2009

FFPlus: Statement by Anton Alberts, Freedom Front Plus spokesperson, on cell phone cost investigation (20/10/2009)

"The Freedom Front Plus has welcomed the Competition Commission's investigation into possible price fixing between Vodacom and MTN, the country's two largest cell phone operators. As in the case of Telkom, it seems that the two largest cell phone operators have effectively robbed South Africans of economic growth and job creation," said Adv. Anton Alberts, the Freedom Front Plus' parliamentary spokesperson on Economic Affairs, in light of the knock-on effect that communication costs has had on the economy. He also stressed that should any wrongdoing by the cell phone operators be found, they should be penalised with the strongest possible measures. In addition, personal accountability of all individuals involved, especially the directors, must also be made a priority.

Cell phones have become the pre-eminent and most ubiquitous form of communication both in South Africa and the African continent with some of the highest penetration rates in the world. According to Adv. Alberts it enables extended social and business interaction, and therefore, is a key driver of economic growth and job creation. Enabling value-added service communication, like the Internet, via mobile telephony can further accelerate economic growth as a equal playing field is opened between the rich and the poor. However, all of these advantages mean nothing if access to communication opportunities is hampered or destroyed by prohibitive costs.

It is time that unscrupulous businesses that hold back economic development, growth and job creation be held accountable for holding our country to ransom while they make record profits. While profits are important, a responsible and ethical free market dictates that social responsibility also comes into play.