Vodacom and Cell C have committed to reducing their interconnect fees on 1 March, despite parliament's condemtation of the deal struck last year by the cell phone companies.

The campaign to lower cell phone interconnect rates was launched by Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda and the operators agreed to phased reductions over the next three years.
Now, ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of SA) has decided that it won't support that proposal, but will first release its own draft regulations, due out at the end of March And parliament's portfolio committee on communications is backing ICASA.
However, today Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt issued a statement that his company will lower interconnect rates anyway.
"“In the interest of consumers and the country, Cell C is committed to the lowering of interconnection rates by 1 March 2010. We are actively engaging the relevant parties including the Department of Communications, ICASA and our fellow operators," reads the statement.
Yesterday Vodacom committed to reducing the rates as well, with CEO Pieter Uys saying ongoing debates shouldn't delay the cost reductions.