Johannesburg - Fixed-line telephone operator Telkom has accused municipalities of "premature and opportunistic" behaviour for rolling out telecommunications services in a bid to save costs.

At parliament's communications portfolio committee last week, Telkom said municipalities such as Knysna were breaching the Telecommunications Act by providing telecoms to communities.

About seven municipalities out of 284, including Knysna, eThekwini and the City of Johannesburg, hold private telephone network licences.

The act states that a "private telephone network shall not be provided by means of telecommunication facilities other than facilities made available by Telkom or any other person providing a public switched telecommunication network service".

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