We all want an iPhone 2.0, right? But then, you have that pesky contract with your mobile operator which locks you in until 2020 (or so it feels, especially when the latest and greatest hits the shelves). At this stage the speculation mill is hard at work and dates of 11 July, to 20 July to “end-July” is being bandied about. If you are burning to get your hands on the new iPhone 2.0, help might be on hand (no, I didn’t mean that pun!)…. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) recently released the latest regulations pertaining handset subsidies, just in time for you to sign up for a shiny new iPhone 2.0.

When consumers enter into a cellphone contract with a mobile operator, the operator would subsidise the handset considerably in exchange for locking a consumer in for two years. Normally a consumer would have no choice other than buying the phone outright (and then not be entitled to a subsidised handset or special offer monthly fees) or by going ahead and biting the bullet by taking the subsidised cellphone and then being locked in for two years

The new regulations that were published on 17 June 2008 (coming into effect on 17 August 2008) will force mobile operators to provide the consumer with options of a 6-, 12-, 18- or 24-month contract and clearly show the amount by which the handset is subsidised.

This flows through to the requirement that mobile operators must now clearly indicate on your monthly cellphone bill what amount of the subsidy is still outstanding as well as what you will be liable to pay if you would want to cancel your cellphone contract.

If you would decide to go ahead and cancel your contract (to get your hands on that shiny iPhone of course!), the regulations would assist by prohibiting the cellphone providers from charging exorbitant “cancellation” fees (the cancellation fee must in effect be proportional to the remaining contract fees and remaining handset subsidy) to end your contract.

Lastly, mobile operators would now be required to send subscribers a monthly sms to inform them of the amount of “free minutes” that is still available.

When you have navigated the admin surrounding your contract and get to signing up for your iPhone, you can now rest assured that according to the new regulations, a so-called “connection fee” would also not be allowed.

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