New Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) chairman Stephen Mncube will be sworn into office on Friday. However, analysts question how much power he’ll really have, saying the department of communications appears hungry to usurp some of the regulator’s authority.

Communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda announced on Wednesday evening that Mncube would take over as Icasa chair from Paris Mashile, whose five-year term of office expired at the end of June.

Despite his having extensive political and industry experience, analysts question whether the 70-year-old will be able to keep up with the fast pace of telecommunications and technology, let alone the political pressures.

Independent telecoms analyst Richard Hurst says though it is time Icasa got new blood, he is not sure Mncube will hold up against the challenges Icasa will face over the next few years.

He says recent moves by the department of communications make many inclined to believe it is out to exercise regulatory control itself, leaving Icasa with less oversight.

The minister’s push against high mobile termination rates last year forced operators to drop the fees they charge each other to carry calls on each other’s networks.

Nyanda also made the controversial decision to review the digital terrestrial broadcasting standard SA adopted nearly five years ago.

More recent evidence that the department wants to entrench its hold over the regulatory environment is the creation of the tariff advisory council within Icasa.

Icasa and the department will appoint the members of the council, which must advise the minister on rates being charged by licensed operators.

However, at Wednesday evening’s event Nyanda said the executive would not compromise the independence of the regulator.

“[Government] cannot be a referee and a player at the same time,” he said.

Another analyst, who asked not to be named because of a need to maintain good relations with Icasa, says that the department of communications does appear to want to take more direct control over regulation and that Mncube’s appointment is part of that plan.

Another concern for the analyst is Mncube’s past position as chairman of the board at Sentech. “I wouldn’t put that on my CV.”

However, analysts say they are not certain how much influence Mncube had at the signal distributor.

Despite the concerns, BMI-TechKnowledge MD Denis Smit says though Mncube will face a fast-paced industry, he does have extensive experience and stature.

Meanwhile, operators are playing it safe, simply welcoming the new chairman rather than commenting on what impact he may have. — Candice Jones, TechCentral