The rollout of the Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN), which began in 2014, will be completed this year. The network forms part of the five-year Gauteng city region-wide e-government strategy, aimed at improving linkages and integration among city region governments and their departments.
This is according to Gauteng finance MEC Barbara Creecy, speaking at the tabling of the Gauteng finance department's 2015/16 budget. She explained the 1 600km core fibre-optic transmission network would run throughout Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand.
The e-government strategy, said Creecy, would improve access for citizens to government services, particularly those who live in townships and informal settlements. She said by linking Thusong Centres, schools and clinics in these historically marginalised areas, the province would also create possibilities to launch the township economy into the digital age.
"The first objective of the strategy is to build the infrastructure for connected government. In this regard, we are guided by the National Broadband Policy, 2013 - South Africa Connect, which provides a national framework for the implementation of affordable broadband, giving expression to the National Development Plan goal of achieving universal access to broadband by 2030, Creecy noted.
She pointed out the Gauteng provincial government collaborates on an ongoing basis with the Department of Communications, National Treasury, and the State IT Agency (SITA) to make sure the Gauteng Broadband Network initiative is aligned with national broadband policy and Sip15 (strategic integrated project).
"This year, we will complete the migration of all data, voice and video services onto GBN, resulting in significant estimated savings of R162 million per annum on the province's telephone bill, while improving the efficiency of services. We have already started with service migration in a phased manner."
Creecy said in the 2014/15 financial year, the provincial government connected six of eight core nodes, while this year will see the connection of a further 263 access sites across the province.
The Gauteng Department of Finance has budgeted R250 million for the broadband infrastructure project for this financial year. Overall, the project will cost about R1.2 billion.
Delivery of services
Creecy noted the second objective of the Gauteng city region-wide e-government strategy is to create a platform and support services to allow Gauteng city region (GCR) entities to deliver e-government services.
"This seeks to achieve interoperability, reusability and eradication of duplication of applications within the GCR. This will also offer the GCR the possibility of benefiting from collective buying power and skills sharing," she stated.
"In 2015/16, we are finalising the architecture for a common platform or portal that will enable all GCR entities to provide online and digitised services.
"We will also identify and implement common e-government projects that will benefit the province and all its municipalities. Departmental-specific applications will be budgeted and paid for by the relevant department."
Creecy said a number of e-government services are in the pipeline, including e-tendering, which allow the public to download, complete and submit tenders online, as well as supplier online self-service registration, which allows vendors to register themselves without needing to travel to government offices.
The Department of Finance has allocated R76 million for the development of online services this year.
ICT economy
Creecy also noted another objective of her department's ICT strategy is to stimulate the ICT economy by encouraging public private partnerships for the development and roll-out of e-government services.
"The revitalisation of Gauteng's economy in general and the township economy in particular is an important focus of this government. Provincial government's investment in broadband infrastructure effectively deals with the challenge of connecting 'the last mile' in our province.
"This significant investment of over R1 billion over five years means we are opening up possibilities for ICT-linked enterprises in communities where once this would never have been possible."
She added her department will, along with the Gauteng Infrastructure Funding Agency, call for proposals on appropriate partnerships that will forge collaboration to build durable and productive township ICT businesses, to mainstream and revitalise the township economy, and to generate inclusive growth and improve the quality of life in these areas.
"I referred earlier to the reorganisation of the Gauteng Department of Finance to deliver this strategy and ensure that, in due course, in the words of the UN, we will assist to transform public administration for the benefit of our citizens and their development."
She noted in reorganising and refocusing the Gauteng Department of Finance, "we made sure we remain within the total budget of R1.171 billion allocated for the 2015/16 financial year".
"The new structure of the department, which is in the final stages of development, will have three core branches. The building of the Gauteng Broadband Network will be executed in the first branch. The second branch will focus on the development of the enabling platforms and e-government services. The third branch will focus on governance, change management and facilitating an ICT economy.
"This structure is undergoing the necessary consultations and will be presented to the Department of Public Service and Administration for approval."
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