Acacia Economics has been appointed to assist ICASA in its market inquiry into mobile broadband in South Africa.
Posts tagged #ICASA
Economic advice and analysis of proposed policy interventions for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, 2017
Bowmans Attorneys briefed Acacia Economics to provide a series of expert economic reports on competition and economic regulation aspects of proposed government policy interventions for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). In addition to an overview of the likely impact of the proposed interventions on the sector, Simon Roberts, Ryan Hawthorne, Sha'ista Goga, Genna Robb, Pamela Mondliwa and Anthea Paelo provided detailed economic reports on a range of topics in relation to ICT policy.
Expert advice on the merger between Liquid Telecom and Neotel, 2017
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) briefed Acacia Economics to prepare a competition report in relation to the merger between Liquid Telecom and Neotel.
Expert economic advice to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa in relation to a review of its spectrum auction decision, 2016
PPM Attorneys (attorneys for ICASA) briefed Acacia Economics to provide expert economic reports to the High Court in relation to the review of ICASA’s spectrum auction decision brought by the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal services. Acacia Economics provided economic analysis in relation to the concerns raised by the DTPS, including a review of international best-practice in spectrum auction design and an assessment of the possible competition implications of ICASA's proposed approach.
Economic experts for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa in relation to the Vodacom/Neotel merger, 2015
Acacia Economics provided expert advice to ICASA in relation to the proposed merger between Vodacom and Neotel. The Competition Commisison had raised concerns that the merger would lead to a concentration of spectrum in the hands of Vodacom, which could further entrench its dominant position. Competing operators MTN, Cell C and Telkom intervened in the matter, as well as ICASA and the Ministers for Telecommunications and Postal Services and Economic Development. All were concerned that Vodacom's market power and first-mover advantage would be strengthened by the acquisition of Neotel's spectrum, a vital input for the development of a high speed LTE network. Other operators were constrained in the ability to access more spectrum, as additional spectrum was still to be assigned to mobile operators by ICASA and it was unclear when this would take place. Acacia Economics prepared an expert report which analysed the likely competition implications of the transaction. The merger was abandoned by the parties before a Tribunal hearing on the matter was held.
Review of Vodacom/Neotel and MTN/Telkom RAN sharing for the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, 2014
ICASA briefed Acacia Economics to provide an analysis of the competition effects of the MTN/Telkom Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing transaction and the Vodacom/Neotel merger.