Cuasa chairman promises more telco pressure

24.10.2005
Von Computing SA

Newly appointed Communications Users Association of South Africa (Cuasa) chairman, Edwin Thompson, says the organization will continue to lobby for legislative and regulatory pressure, in order to bring about effective competition in the local telecommunications and associated ICT sectors.

"As chairman of Cuasa, Mike van den Bergh has done a fantastic job in terms of launching the organization, setting up the necessary infrastructure and tirelessly representing our members on a wide variety of issues," says Thompson.

"It is largely due to his leadership that Cuasa has been able to challenge the significant authority and power of monopolistic and quasi-monopolistic telecommunications service providers over the past five years.

"Following Mike"s example, I will ensure that Cuasa continues to lobby government and the regulator in order to see a more free and fair telecommunications and ICT market for the good of our members, SA communications users in general and the country"s economy in particular."

Mike van den Bergh did not make himself available for re-election as chairman due to the increased demands on his time, as a result of his expanded role at group level within the wider Gateway Communications group, and also because of his concern that Gateway"s growing activities as a service provider and carrier would be perceived as in conflict with his role as chairman of Cuasa.