The Communications Users Association of SA (CUASA) was launched this morning in Sandton, although it already has a track record of involvement in policy issues.
[VIDEO]The association is to serve as a contact point between government and regulators and business interests in the broad area of communication policy and legislation.
Its convening committee has already been involved in submissions on the current telecommunications policy and e-commerce law processes, as well as policy hearings on the Telkom rate regime.
"These are the issues we as a user community need to be heard on, issues which have the potential to have a very direct impact on business," said Mike van den Bergh, chairman of the convening committee and nominated member of the first executive committee.
In its constitution, CUASA defines users and potential members as anyone using telecommunications or broadcasting, but specifically excludes public switched telecommunication service providers such as Telkom.
It is expected that the current National Telecommunications Users Group and the South African Telephony Managers Association will be encompassed into the new association, and other industry groups are expected to follow suit. The constitution makes provision for special interest groups to represent splinter groups within CUASA, as well as the sharing of facilities with kindred associations.
[VIDEO]CUASA is a member of the International Telecommunications Users Group, and both the government Department of Communications and the SA Chamber of Business this morning expressed support for it.
Speaking at the launch, Andile Ngcaba, director-general of the Department of Communications, described policy-making as a balancing act between the needs of different users as well as the need for debate versus the need to act quickly.
"We have to consult, but at the same time we have to move to get products on the table," he said. "We need to move fast and create stability as soon as possible."
Addressing the current restrictions on voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) use in telecommunications policy directives, an issue on which CUASA has already criticised the government, Ngcaba said restrictions were inevitable.
"The manner in which we introduce [VOIP] should not compromise other operators in the market." However, he said it is something "to consider in the future".
Related stories:
VOIP objectors combine forces
CUASA wants member input
External links:
http://www.cuasa.org.za/
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