For Pete's sake - just decide on interconnection rates

So, I'm sitting contemplating the debate currently raging in the telecoms industry. Should we drop interconnect prices or shouldn't we?

My thinking is that there are really two major things to consider. Firstly it will obviously make sense for us as consumers, IF the telco operators pass on the saving. But this raises even more questions - if they agree to drop interconnect prices, when will this happen? Secondly will I personally see the benefit? What impact will it have on the mobile operators that have specific packages e.g. if I'm on a package where I get 500 minutes free at X amount - am I suddenly going to get more minutes for the same price? Or are they just going to drop prices on "out of bundle" calls? Or are they going to stick to the same number of free minutes and just adjust the prices of the packages?

On the other hand - a sudden forced drop in interconnect could have a massive impact on the listed operators - what would the long term impact be on the economy if shareholders suddenly start selling their shares because revenues drop dramatically? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for a drop in communications costs - I am a consumer after all. But have we considered the long term impact on our economy vs short term satisfaction of the consumer? Should the approach not be a far more staggered drop in pricing rather than a big bang approach? I'm still grappling with those questions...

All I can say is I'm sure glad I'm not the one making the decisions on this. But who is really?

On the one hand you have the Independent Democrats, then the Department of Communications and subsequently Parliament putting pressure on mobile operators to bring down interconnection rates in time for Christmas (Come on, give us a Christmas present). On the other hand you have a (long-winded) industry discussion going on - "we know it's the right thing to do but we'll draw out discussions in the hope it will go away".

My humble opinion? Just get to it. Decide. Either you're going to implement a drop in these prices or you're not. So just have the backbone to state which side of the fence you're on. Frankly speaking if the industry stood together and made an industry-led decision, it could count in EVERYONE's favour.

But for Pete's sake, just decide. And then, make a move...