Educators called to hearing

Interested parties wishing to hear the public debate on the granting of E-rates (a 50% discount on Internet services to public schools and public further education and training institutions) should attend the ICASA hearings on 4-5 March 2010 from 9am to 4pm at Block C Presentation Room, Pinmill Farm, Katherine Avenue, Sandton. The discount was signed into law in May 2006 but most schools still get no tangible benefit from this initiative, reportedly because Telkom does not pass the discount onto suppliers. Companies and organisations that will make presentations at the ICASA hearings include ISPA, MWeb, Vodacom, Telkom, MTN, Tenet, Neotel, Cell C and other parties.