By Rorisang Modiba
- Telkom asked Icasa to change its licence so it can install free Wi-Fi at Thusong Service Centres across South Africa.
- The free Wi-Fi would offer speeds of 30Mbps, but users would be limited to 300MB per day and 2GB monthly.
Telkom has asked the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to change its licence conditions. The company wants to stop maintaining old services like public pay phones and directory listings.
Instead, Telkom wants to install free Wi-Fi hotspots at 171 Thusong Service Centres across the country. These are government community centres that help people access important services and information. Icasa said many of these centres do not have proper internet access.
Icasa is now looking at the request. If it says yes, Telkom will have to hand in a detailed plan. The plan must show which 171 centres will get Wi-Fi, what technology will be used, when each centre will be connected and how Telkom will test internet speeds.
Icasa wants all 171 centres connected within three years of the new rules being approved. The target date for completion is October 2028.
The free Wi-Fi must offer speeds of at least 30Mbps. The connection will be uncapped, but users will be limited to 300MB per day and 2GB per month under a fair usage policy.
Telkom will pay for the installation, equipment, support and maintenance. It must also fix any problems within five days.
The company will need to report to Icasa twice a year on its progress. If Telkom does not follow the rules, it could face fines between R500,000 and R1-million.
Telkom said it is working with Icasa but cannot share more details while talks are ongoing.
Pictured above: Telkom branding.
Image source: Telkom/Facebook
