Since Minister of Communications Yunus Carrim took the reins at the Communications Department just a few months ago, a number of its objectives have been met – and, although there are still goals that need to be reached, there is activity taking place.
This was the central message from the Department of Communications (DoC) report to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting by Carrim and Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Back in August, the department outlined the areas that needed attention ahead of the 2014 elections.
They are:
* A more effective DoC;
* A less fragmented and fractious ICT sector;
* Finalisation of the Broadband Policy, Strategy and Plan;
* An effective Spectrum Policy;
* A policy directive on Transparent Pricing Policy;
* Setting foundation for further reducing the costs to communicate;
* Beginning the roll-out of digital migration;
* Greater focus on Rural and other underserviced areas;
* Corporatisation of Postbank;
* ICT Policy Review Green Paper;
* National ICT Forum;
* Progress on Community Media as well as Community Broadcasting Support Policy; and
* Merger of e-skills organisations.
The department reported yesterday that it had delivered on most, if not all, targets.
Overall, it was felt the department had done reasonably although it acknowledged that more could be done.
In terms of a more effective DoC, a number of DDGs have been appointed and assumed their duties, while a chief financial officer; chief director: HRM; director: internal audit; and chief director: internal audit & risk management have assumed their duties.
A total of 58 non-SMS positions were advertised internally and 16 critical SMS positions were advertised in November 2013. Positions advertised are being interviewed and appointments are expected to be made as early as February and March 2014.
To achieve a less fragmented and fractious ICT sector, the Minister continued engagements with relevant organisations and individuals on content issues and with regards to mediating differences between stakeholders. The Ministry has met 191 organisations and individuals since 12 July 2013.
The DoC has taken a decision to focus on key measurables to assess the state of the ICT sector. In addition, the DoC Stakeholder engagement strategy is in the process of being reviewed in line with the aim of a less fragmented ICT sector through pro-active stakeholder engagement.
In terms of finalising the Broadband Policy, Strategy and Plan, Cabinet has approved “South Africa Connect”, the National Broadband Policy, Strategy and Plan on 4 December 2013. It was gazetted on 6 December 2013, setting out the targets and the four-pronged strategy: digital readiness; digital development; digital future; and digital opportunity.
A Steering Committee and Task Teams, comprising of various government departments, have been established to develop a detailed implementation plan of the policy. The implementation will ensure that the policy decisions are achieved.
List of Candidates for Broadband Council has been compiled for Minister’s consideration.
In addition, the schools connectivity programme has been accelerated – 565 schools have been connected since 4 December adoption of “South Africa Connect”.
The Department also committed to develop an effective Spectrum Policy to facilitate the development of wireless technologies in support of universal access and economic development.
To this end, it has developed a draft Policy Direction on Spectrum for Broadband to facilitate universal broadband access and economic development. The Department is in the process of publishing the findings of the Digital Dividend study which is essential to the release of digital dividend spectrum.
The process to align the draft broadband spectrum policy directions with the Broadband Policy (establishment of open access model) has been taken forward.
The policy directive on Transparent Pricing Policy was reliant on ICASA finalising its mobile termination regulations, and can now move forward.
Regarding the roll-out of Digital Migration, the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network now covers 83,7% of the population; 16% of the remaining population will be covered by Sentech’s satellite platform which provides 100% geographical and population coverage.
The DoC, in collaboration with its State Owned Companies (SOCs), is continuing with conducting education provincial road-shows to promote the uptake of digital television services provided under the newly launched satellite platform.
As part of its focus on rural and other underserviced areas, the Department has helped to facilitate the connection of 788.
Since 2009, 6 841 schools have been connected by the ICT industry (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Sentech, Telkom, Neotel, WBS, USAASA, CSIR), with 4 900 of these schools benefiting from e-rate. In addition, 1 427 schools have been connected by the DoC in the current financial year, 565 of them since adoption of the broadband Policy in December 2013, and 268 of them having an end to end connectivity solution.
In total, 8 268 schools have been connected through government and industry initiatives.
Following Cabinet approval for its gazetting, the National Integrated ICT Policy Green Paper for public consultation on 24 January 2014, with the period for consultation on extended to 24 March 2014. Public engagements will commence on 3rd March 2014 with a National Consultative Conference, which will be followed by Provincial Public hearings.
The establishment of a National ICT Forum has also moved forward. A database of relevant stakeholders has been created, and the launch of the National ICT Forum will take place after the completion of the Green Paper public hearings.
The merger of e-skills organisations is underway, with the integrated Ikamva National e-Skills Institute to be launched on 21 February 2014.
Funding to the tune of R15-million has been secured and has already been transferred to NEMISA. In addition, discussions have concluded with 12 key government departments to finalise an audit of current approaches aimed at e-skills delivery. The partnership with local universities that are currently hosting the six provincial e-Skills colabs is being strengthened.
