Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is set to review licences, fees and levies in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, a move aimed at lowering the cost of data and voice call services while streamlining licensing fees across both industries.
The exercise will focus on reducing regulatory fees, simplifying licensing processes and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks across the two sectors.
As part of the review, the Government will assess licence fees and levies for sub-sectors including campus and community radio broadcasting, local and commercial radio, as well as commercial television services. In the telecommunications sector, the Government will review mobile network operators and internet service providers.
Recently, the Government conducted a similar exercise in the agriculture, transport, retail and manufacturing and energy sectors.
Other targeted sectors include health, liquor, construction and financial services.
Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the Government will also streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits in the two sectors.
“Cabinet approved the review of licences, levies, permits and fees in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors,” said Dr Muswere.
“In the broadcasting sector, reviews will cover sub-sectors such as campus and community radio broadcasting, radio broadcasting (embracing free-to-air, provincial, local and commercial radio services), commercial television services, signal carrier services, and satellite broadcasting services.
“Reviews in the telecommunications sector will cover mobile network operators; fixed telephone operators; and internet service providers,” he added.
Dr Muswere said the licence fees and levies in both sectors were significantly high for the business operators, who were shifting the costs to consumers.
“In that regard, the review of licences, levies, permits and fees in the two sectors is a deliberate initiative to review taxes in order to reduce the cost of data and voice calls for businesses and the general public, while at the same time ensuring sustainable revenue streams for the fiscus.
“Government will also streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, with further refinement and consultations by the Ministries of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, and Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, before final approval by Cabinet.”
In the first Cabinet meeting this year, President Mnangagwa said there was a need to enhance the ease of doing business.
“To enhance the overall performance of our economy, the ease of doing business agenda continues to be an important aspect of our programming. In that regard, concerted efforts must be made to revisit all the areas that hinder the start or growth of all investments, whether local or foreign,” he said.
In regional countries, South Africa requires a maximum of eight licences for a retail outlet to be fully functional, while a restaurant business in Rwanda requires about four licences to operate.
