The frustration at not being able to carry voice over data networks to save on exorbitant costs is leading to in-house experiments. StormTelecom lopped a third off its telephone bill this way.

Among the number of empowerment deals in the ICT sector last month was one between Bytes Technology Group and Kagiso Trust, which Bytes said was a proactive measure ahead of the implementation of the black economic empowerment charter for the industry.

Five-year-old Internet service provider Storm Telecom faces a dilemma: does it accept a restrictive telecoms regime, regularly flouted (it says) by Telkom, or does it push the boundaries? And what would that entail?