3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Processes for regulating interconnection rates in India and South Africa(2013-02-19) Chetty, SagadhevanSouth Africa‟s high telecommunication costs are attributed partly to high interconnection rates. High costs negatively impact developmental objectives. This paper analyses the processes engaged in by ICASA in regulating interconnection rates, using a qualitative case study methodology. Enabling legislation, regulatory administration and rules and the bringing to bear of regulatory rules on institutions are stages of regulatory processes that are examined. Perspectives are taken from processes executed by TRAI, India‟s regulatory authority. South Africa followed a market review process which contrasts with India‟s cost-based process. South Africa‟s process although arduous did not achieve the desired result of establishing cost based rates. The root cause is attributed to a combination of factors that include an onerous market review process prescribed by the ECA, institutional problems at ICASA and a politically driven process that ran alongside and engulfed the process managed by ICASA. India‟s process meanwhile has yielded some of the cheapest telecoms retail rates in the world. Gaps exist between processes in the two countries and lessons learnt provide an improved understanding of South African shortcomings.Item The regulation of interconnection in Rwanda.(2012-10-16) Nkurunziza, Alex.The aim of this research is to explore the regulation of interconnection in Rwanda by investigating whether the current interconnection regime has ensured fair and reasonable interconnection rates that can enhance efficiency and effective competition. A qualitative research approach was used and the data were collected using semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The findings reveal that although RURA adopted a cost-based interconnection approach to ensure a fair and reasonable interconnection rate, its poor implementation resulted in an inefficient level of fixed and mobile interconnection rates. The study found an inconsistent application of the regime by incumbents, lack of sufficient regulatory capacity and lack of clear and comprehensive policy instruments. More recently, RURA is making efforts towards adopting a new regime to address the current interconnection rate issues in Rwanda. This study demonstrates that the current interconnection rate regime requires extensive rethinking about appropriate costing models and regulatory capacity, in order to enhance market efficiency and promote effective competition.