ANC has broadband responsibility

The ANC must prioritise the creation of a world-class digital infrastructure connecting business centres, households in all areas of the country, and people, particularly the poor.

The discussion document on communications debated at the 53rd ANC National Policy Conference last week says it is the responsibility of the ANC government to maximise opportunities for all South Africans to benefit from the digital economy.

This must be done by laying firm foundations for digital infrastructure to reach all and sundry. “Access to digital infrastructure, or more specifically, high-speed Internet access, must be considered a basic utility for South Africans.”

“Informed by the National ICT Policy, ANC government must introduce a National Broadband Plan. The National Broadband Plan must be revised and reviewed to take into account the proposals herein,” says the document.

It explains that the Broadband Plan must provide for a world-class digital infrastructure connecting business and people; affordable quality services that will ensure majority of South Africans have access to Internet platforms; the deployment of high quality services; and the exploration of the combination of various reliable technologies such as satellite, wireless, fibre and other emerging technologies.

“High-demand spectrum that can be used to deliver high-speed services using emerging technologies should be prioritised for assignment to new entrants. This should also encourage the use of emerging technologies that are spectrum-efficient to increase competition and provide value for consumers.”

The document says government must, on a regular basis, conduct a review of spectrum usage to determine usage and reallocation of unused spectrum where necessary. A strengthened competition framework that also addresses the quality and affordability of broadband infrastructure and services should find expression in the National Broadband Plan.

The policy should deal with the security of the high-speed Internet networks (cyber security) to ensure information security, including the protection of vulnerable sectors of society such as children. “A national cyber security policy is needed without delay,” it says.

“In the light of the drive towards the new policy vision, there is a need to accelerate the endeavour to define needy people in order to address the utility expectations of, among others, people with disabilities, children, rural and urban poor. The needy people, clearly defined, should benefit from special subsidies to access and use communication services.”

Public finance through the fiscus and the Developmental Finance Institutions should be set aside to fund broadband roll-out as a national priority, adds the document.