• Latest
  • Trending
South African telcos urge Netflix to pay MTN, Vodacom, and others

South African telcos urge Netflix to pay MTN, Vodacom, and others

August 21, 2024
How iOS 26 could change the way your iPhone feels right after update

How iOS 26 could change the way your iPhone feels right after update

September 17, 2025
Cortex Hub launches MCP Hackathon Africa 2025 to bring African identity into AI

Cortex Hub launches MCP Hackathon Africa 2025 to bring African identity into AI

September 17, 2025
PayU Kenya appoints liquidator following 6-year expansion drive with Cellulant

PayU Kenya appoints liquidator following 6-year expansion drive with Cellulant

September 17, 2025
Bitget Wallet users can now buy crypto with Apple Pay and Google Pay

Bitget Wallet users can now buy crypto with Apple Pay and Google Pay

September 17, 2025
Google partners with crypto giants on AI payments upgrade

Google partners with crypto giants on AI payments upgrade

September 17, 2025
Google’s new Windows app adds a Spotlight-like search

Google’s new Windows app adds a Spotlight-like search

September 17, 2025
MNT-Halan and Lean Technologies join forces to expand credit access across the GCC

MNT-Halan and Lean Technologies join forces to expand credit access across the GCC

September 17, 2025
Creators can now make money with brand deals and YouTube Shopping

Creators can now make money with brand deals and YouTube Shopping

September 17, 2025
Sowore countersues Nigerian government, Facebook, X over “digital dictatorship”

Sowore countersues Nigerian government, Facebook, X over “digital dictatorship”

September 17, 2025
Nigerian government sues Sowore, X, Facebook over “criminal” post against Tinubu

Nigerian government sues Sowore, X, Facebook over “criminal” post against Tinubu

September 16, 2025
Your one-stop tech hub! Get the latest updates on AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and emerging technologies.
  • Tech News
    • Africa Tech
    • Global Tech
    • Tech with Pelumy
    • Tech Careers
    • Tech TV
    • General News
    • How To
    • Reviews
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Fintech
  • Startups
  • Ai
No Result
View All Result
  • Tech News
    • Africa Tech
    • Global Tech
    • Tech with Pelumy
    • Tech Careers
    • Tech TV
    • General News
    • How To
    • Reviews
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Fintech
  • Startups
  • Ai
No Result
View All Result
Techpression
No Result
View All Result
Home Entertainment

South African telcos urge Netflix to pay MTN, Vodacom, and others

Oluwatosin Adeyemi by Oluwatosin Adeyemi
August 21, 2024
146 4
0
South African telcos urge Netflix to pay MTN, Vodacom, and others

South African telcos urge Netflix to pay MTN, Vodacom, and others

465
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsAppTelegram

According to the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), Netflix and other such services should pay to construct and maintain the network infrastructure that underpins their operations.

To do this, it plans to introduce “Fair Share” agreements in the over-the-top (OTT) market.

Telecommunications carriers use the phrase “over-the-top” (OTT) to refer to services hosted on their infrastructure, such as Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video.

It also includes apps like WhatsApp, which directly compete with mobile networks’ voice and messaging services.

RelatedPosts

Vodacom to invest R400 million on network upgrade in Eastern Cape

MTN, ZTE deploy first 5-band Remote Radio Unit in South Africa’s Western Cape Province

Vodacom taps SOLA’s solar power plant to operationalise virtual wheeling in South Africa

Read also: Netflix raises subscription prices for Nigerian users

Regulated service providers that compete with OTT platforms, such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, and Telkom, claim that their income is dependent on network utilisation.

According to the ACT, “OTT providers heavily rely on the network infrastructure provided by network operators” to supply their services.

“Fair Share arrangements guarantee that over-the-top (OTT) providers pay their share of the expenses associated with constructing, preserving, and modernising the infrastructure supporting their operations.”

“This keeps network operators from taking all the load on themselves and helps balance the utilisation of resources,” it continued.

According to the ACT, OTT services must be governed under a framework that helps maintain a balance between larger and smaller network operators.

It further stated that OTT providers can guarantee ongoing investment in network expansion, capacity upgrades, and quality of service enhancements by sharing the expenses of network infrastructure.

Beneficial for stakeholders 

The ACT claims that “this benefits all stakeholders and fosters a healthier marketplace.”

Creating a pooled fund that “serves its purpose outside of the commercial competitive dynamics of all network operators” is one suggestion for implementing Fair Share agreements.

According to the ACT, these measures will encourage network operators to spend money on infrastructure.

According to the report, “network operators may be discouraged from investing in the necessary infrastructure to support the growing demand for OTT services if they believe that OTT providers are not contributing fairly.”

“Continuous investments in network development are incentivised by equitable compensation, resulting in improved user services and increased connectivity.”

It also stated that, although this is complicated, the contribution will ideally be decided by mutual agreements on usage fees.

The ACT states that any fair share agreement must be based on the law, business fairness, and an understanding of the industry’s dynamics to guarantee equity.

The ACT stated there is still much space for development in South Africa and that network operators and over-the-top (OTT) providers share responsibilities for offering end users high-quality services.

Read also: Amazon Prime Video gets a new look with generative AI upgrades

Beneficial for subscribers 

Therefore, the country’s end users may benefit from higher-quality services due to the suggested modifications.

“In the end, South Africa needs a flexible, non-disruptive, and coordinated approach to building an information society to benefit consumers,” the statement reads.

“To foster a thriving and competitive ICT sector in South Africa involves clear regulations, creative solutions, and close collaboration between policymakers, regulators, OTTs, and network operators.”

Call on policymakers to tak£e action 

The ACT outlined important factors for national regulators and lawmakers to consider in order to accomplish this.

It suggests that the initial step in the procedure would be to set up a system that permits a thorough grasp of the OTT industry.

Subsequently, legislators must examine current rules and modify them to account for evolving market conditions.

“The objective is to establish a technology-neutral, uniformly treating similar services regulatory framework that promotes fair competition,” the ACT stated.

However, it does point out that authorities need to uphold strict competition laws to stop anti-competitive activity in the market. According to the ACT, authorities have to reconcile legality with justice.

“They should ensure compliance with current competition laws and regulations, as well as assess the economic impact on both network operators and OTT providers,” the statement stated.

According to the ACT, the telecom industry’s deregulation in some areas may allow companies to be more adaptable to the rapidly evolving OTT and digital technology ecosystem.

“Telcos would be afforded greater liberty to investigate joint ventures, financial prospects, and inventive service provisions.”

To guarantee that a variety of viewpoints are considered when making regulatory decisions, regulators should interact with one another and all relevant parties, such as network operators, OTT services, consumer advocacy organisations, and trade associations.

“Working together will result in more informed policies that properly balance consumer interests, industry sustainability, and innovation,” the ACT stated.

Tags: ACTMTNNetflixVodacom
Oluwatosin Adeyemi

Oluwatosin Adeyemi

Oluwatosin Adeyemi is a seasoned writer with 5+ years of experience. He holds a degree in Animal Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University. A hardworking and creative individual with a passion for teamwork and self-improvement.

No Result
View All Result

Quick Links

  • Tech News
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Fintech
  • Startups
  • Business

Follow Us:

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • Twitter(X)
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2025 Techpression.com -Techpression Media Limited

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tech News
    • Africa Tech
    • Global Tech
    • Tech with Pelumy
    • Tech Careers
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • General News
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Business
  • Fintech
  • Startups
  • Featured
  • Ai
  • Tech TV

© 2025 Techpression.com -Techpression Media Limited

techpression.com
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.