The Department of Communications (DOC) hopes to have SA nominated onto the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) council, on 11 October.
Communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda is at the ITU's 18th Plenipotentiary Conference, in Guadalajara, Mexico, with a delegation from the department.
“This gathering provides a discussion platform for all member states to exchange views and plans that relate not only on ICT policy and regulations; but also to share practical implementation of infrastructure for rural communities, development of applications for health, education, climate change, etc,” says the department.
The Plenipotentiary Conference is the ITU's top policy-making body and meets every four years, according to the DOC. The conference sets the union's general policies and adopts five-year strategic and financial plans.
“As part of the mandate of the Department of Communications, ICT policies and legislation have to be developed to create conditions for an accelerated and shared growth of the South African economy, also to fulfil SA's continental and international responsibilities in the field of ICT.”
In light of this, the department says one of its key objectives is for SA to be nominated onto the ITU council.
BMI-TechKnowledge MD Denis Smit says that, along with a prestige factor, there will be great advantage for SA to be on the council, because it will bring the country closer to the global regulatory framework.
“A stronger relationship with the ITU will also be a great advantage in maintaining standards and it will be technically good for the country.”
Broadband divide
In a policy statement at the conference, Nyanda announced SA is in the process of developing cyber security legislation, which will be the first legislation of this kind in the country.
He added that the process is expected to be completed in the first half of 2011.
“Cyber-threats do not recognise borders or laws. There is a need for governments, business and civil society to work together to protect and secure their national cyber-spaces and critical infrastructure.”
He also mentioned the ITU's effect on SA. “We have benefited tremendously from the work of the ITU in many areas. For example, the ITUs work in ensuring spectrum management is efficient and effective, the introduction of broadband services to rural communities, and the adherence to the migration programme from analogue to digital broadcasting.”
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