Department of forked tongues

In more than a decade of being in power, government`s actions towards democratising information and communication infrastructures are yet to equal its far-reaching promises and commitments.

The Department of Communication is pretty vocal about the huge potential of information and communications technology (ICT) for overcoming poverty and promoting economic growth, but at the same time the government is approving legislation that is not at all guaranteed to bring down prices or boost confidence in the ICT sector.

Just yesterday, deputy communications minister Roy Padayachie told attendees of a digital cities forum in Midrand that ICT was essential to the achievement of sustainable socio-economic growth. However, last week the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications approved new legislation that many consider flawed and a threat to the independence of the communications authority, ICASA.

Is it just me, or have we got a schizophrenic government?

Why is government not taking action to expedite bandwidth allocation to get the ball rolling?

Warwick Ashford, portals managing editor

The Electronic Communications Act and the ICASA amendment Bill are not widely expected to reduce telecommunication costs or boost confidence in the ICT sector. This week, both took another step towards being gazetted into law, but Padayachie laments that the high cost of access to telecommunication services continues to hinder socio-economic development.

Again, is it just me, or do we have a Department of Communications that speaks with a forked tongue?

Instead of paying lip service to the need for affordable broadband access to the Internet, the government should create legislation that will guarantee it. When will the government get real about the situation and realise it is actions that will bridge the digital divide and not just words and idealism?

Other speakers at the digital cities forum suggested that the required action should include a new telecoms deal for the marginalised segments of the population. Who else but the government has the power to deliver such a new deal?

Padayachie said as cities developed their own broadband networks, access to telecoms services would be improved and higher penetration achieved. While this may be true, it seems the deputy minister is shifting the responsibility indirectly on to the private sector, and what about the rural communities?

It is relatively well known that even in the US, UK, France and Australia, affordable broadband Internet access became a reality only after the government became involved and made it a priority through appropriate legislation. Why should SA be any different?

Telecoms and broadband are recognised as transformative forces, but what`s the point of government calling on the private sector for support when nothing is done to reform the legislation that continues to block and frustrate private sector initiatives in the telecoms arena?

There are many new technologies that are emerging and maturing to a point where they could be of invaluable use in achieving what the government claims to be its development goals. There are also many private sector entrepreneurs looking for opportunities to use those technologies, but are unable to do so as long as government continues to drag its heels.

In the US, Europe and other parts of Africa, for example, private enterprise is testing and developing low-cost, high-speed Internet access using WiMax technology, but locally development is almost at a standstill. Why is government not taking action to expedite bandwidth allocation to get the ball rolling?

To be sure, government is involved in various projects with commendable aims and is laying the groundwork for eventual liberalisation of telecommunications. But as well-intentioned as these projects and legislation like the Electronic Communications Bill may be, there are still too many grey areas inhibiting progress, which remains painfully slow.

We need action, and we need action fast if SA is ever to deliver the communication infrastructure necessary to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Government needs to get real about the fact that we no longer have time to waste on debate and vague legislation. It must work rapidly towards removing constraints and creating supportive frameworks that will result in a much more liberal, development-friendly environment that will enable entrepreneurs to harness what technology has to offer and take the country where it needs to go.