IS fears Vodacom, Neotel deal enables re-emergence of Telkom fixed-line monopoly

Telecommunications group Vodacom’s play for converged communications network operator Neotel could effectively enable South Africa’s largest fixed-line operator Telkom to regain its monopoly status. Internet Solutions executive for cloud and communications Wayne Speechly told stakeholders on the second day of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa’s) hearings into the deal that it was a possibility that Neotel’s fixed-line telephone services would cease as Vodacom offloads its data services onto the newly acquired fibre.