The ANC suggests that established mobile operators should be incentivised to re-farm their spectrum for voice services to provide broadband in under-served or rural areas.
The ruling party says this is consistent with the national targets to be articulated in policy where a decision to prioritise high-capacity spectrum for wireless communications in rural and urban poor areas will be needed.
“National policy should prioritise scarce high-capacity bands to achieve rural connectivity within a reasonable, short space of time. A long-term perspective is needed to ensure the sustainability of these rural ventures such that they don't disappear into thin air like previously licensed under-serviced area licensees.”
The ruling party also says national policy and law should provide lower or asymmetric interconnect costs for services operating in areas designated as rural. So a call originating from an under-serviced area and terminating on another established operator's network should have a preferential rate to incentivise rural connectivity.
ICT plan
These suggestions form part of the ANC's first attempt to shape a new social and economic trajectory via rapid deployment and utilisation of ICTs.
It adds that the aim is to address poverty and underdevelopment afflicting the urban and rural poor.
The ruling party says this goal exists within the overall drive to accelerate economic growth and social development, and will occur through a comprehensive national ICT plan.
“This intervention by the ANC takes place against the backdrop of worldwide efforts to bridge the digital and knowledge divide between and within countries.”
Broadband for skills
The ANC has placed specific emphasis on broadband for the purpose of this new strategy.
It says broadband allows for the utilisation of the Internet for a range of online transactions such as online banking, and it facilitates universal access to health and education for communities located away from public utilities. It also enhances television viewing via online channels and facilitates the postal process, so tariffs charged to customers are cut.
It adds that in future, broadband will play a significant role in combating climate change, as well as in response to natural disasters such as flooding.
“There is no doubt the move towards universal broadband connectivity will usher in a new skills revolution that will require active collaboration between schools, universities, relevant Setas and other state agencies to collaborate in skills developments.”
For this reason, the ANC says students at primary and secondary schools and at tertiary education institutions should be encouraged to undertake technology studies as compulsory subjects.
However, broadband access in SA remains very low, at around 4% of the population, according to the ANC, and it does not seem realistic that the country will reach at least 50% by 2015, when countries review the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Universal access to ICTs, especially broadband, is one of the promises of the MDGs. Unless drastic policy and regulatory decisions are introduced, we are not likely to see significant changes by that review period.”
ICT leader
A policy process to develop a national ICT plan to position SA as a model user of ICTs commenced at the ANC's National General Council (NGC) in September.
Former deputy communications minister Dina Pule previously said the ANC is calling for greater government co-ordination of ICTs through a lead government department, and the conducting of a performance audit of government's ICT resources and capacity by integrating all its investments in the ICT sector.
During preparations for the NGC, the appointment of an ICT MEC was proposed, according to Black IT Forum secretary-general Motse Mfuleni.
“One of the biggest issues leading to lack of transformation in the ICT sector is the fact that political oversight only takes place at national level. It is impossible for a minister to single-handedly effect change across all provinces and municipalities. Currently, this responsibility resides with the premier of each region.”
The ANC adds that preliminary work done on the national ICT plan will culminate in discussions at the National Policy Conference and the possible adoption of a final framework by the National Conference in 2012.
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