Drafting legislation to unbundle Telkom`s local loop - effectively allowing other service providers to use Telkom`s network - will not be easy, because it must not upset the market due to uneven distribution, says Department of Communications director-general Lyndall Shope-Mafole.
Shope-Mafole today addressed a briefing of the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications on the Convergence Bill, during which she outlined its content and explained how it differed from the original draft of almost two years ago.
She was responding to a question by the chairman of the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications, Mpetjane Lekgoro of the ANC, who noted that it is important that the local loop be unbundled to allow for more opportunities for smaller telecoms players.
In reply to another question from Democratic Alliance member Dene Smuts, Shope-Mafole said the Convergence Bill aims to give consumers the best choices under the circumstances.
Shope-Mafole told ITWeb that her ultimate aim is to see the South African telecoms sector supplying a multiplicity of affordable services for the public.
"This bill has many unique aspects. Not many countries have this kind of legislation, and I hope it will help us as a developing country to take a lead in the delivery of some of these services," she said.
The Department of Communications will brief the parliamentary portfolio committee on communications next Tuesday on its strategic plan. Public hearings on the Convergence Bill will begin on 17 May and are expected to run until the Parliamentary winter recess.
Deputy DG resigns to join Vodacom
Meanwhile, Shope-Mafole announced the resignation of deputy director-general Pakamile Pongwana, one of the key people who helped draft the bill. He is to move to a government liaison position with cellular network operator Vodacom.
She says an agreement had been signed between the department and Pongwana that he would not be involved in any South African government-related business for at least one year from his date of appointment with Vodacom.
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