The industry appears divided on the issue of handset subsidies, which has been the topic of heated debates and submissions made at hearings held by SA`s telecoms regulator Icasa in August. Enquiries by Icasa into the effect of handset subsidies on the market have seen the three operators each taking a different stance: Vodacom wants to keep them, MTN calls for a collaborative phasing out, and Cell C wants Icasa to regulate on getting rid of them.

The issue took centre stage in July, when Icasa issued a discussion document stating it would be looking into whether subsidies will prevent customers from switching networks when number portability becomes a reality early next year.

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