Another year, another Department of Communications (DOC) budget speech - and another list of pipeline projects and proposed initiatives to boost SA's economy through ICT.
This sums up communications minister Dina Pule's budget vote speech in Parliament today, where the minister outlined the year ahead for the department, detailing its goals and achievements.
Mirroring last year's budget speech, Pule again focused on the three priority areas of digital migration, broadband for SA and a national ICT policy.
This year, amid what she calls an ICT revolution that is fast changing South African society, Pule says the DOC is "leading the way and is geared for the future".
Among the many tasks Pule says the department will tackle in the year ahead are improving the ICT skills base of South Africans (the youth in particular), streamlining and strengthening ICT regulation, finalising the allocation of spectrum, lowering communication costs and job creation.
Pule did not give any details as to the future of Telkom - an issue the industry has long been following and waiting for clarity on. Making scant reference to the company, SA's communications core, Pule said: "Telkom remains integral to the state's broadband ambitions of modernizing and investing in its long distance backbone network."
Digital dream
On another longstanding issue - digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration - Pule delivered news on a more optimistic note, saying the department had taken decisions to fast-track the process.
Pule says the department has decided to review policy on the set-top box (STB) control system for DTT so that the system would no longer be required. This comes after about a year of delays with the rollout of DTT due to disputes around management of the control system.
Pule says the DTT transmission network roll-out target of 84% population coverage via terrestrial transmitters will be reached by December 2013.
"Sentech will also launch a Direct-To-Home satellite broadcasting service later this year. This service will provide TV and radio coverage to the Square Kilometre Array and all other areas where there is no DTT signal.
"With regards to DTT Awareness, we shall intensify the implementation of our communications campaigns to inform and educate the public about the need for DTT."
Pule says the department has also finalised the subsidy plan for poor households supported by qualifying criteria. "We are ready to implement the STB manufacturing strategy, which requires 30% local content as part of the electronic industry development."
ICT Policy Review
In line with the National Development Plan, Pule says the DOC has embarked on a process to overhaul existing policies.
She says the department plans to deliver the white paper on ICT Policy next year.
"On 25 April 2013 we launched the ICT Policy Framing Paper. In December 2012, we launched the Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15, which is focused on increasing access to ICT services through the rollout of broadband infrastructure and Digital Terrestrial Television. There has been commendable progress in the work of SIP 15.
As Chairperson of SIP 15, I am finalising a project action plan which indicates targets for the connectivity of public facilities such schools, health centres, government offices, libraries and police stations."
Pule acknowledged the private sector's investment and urged the sector to continue working with the department, within the SIP, in expanding broadband infrastructure.
Spectrum wait
On the long-awaited allocation of spectrum, Pule notes the department closed the public consultation phase on the new broadband policy earlier this month.
"We are preparing to take this policy to Cabinet in June 2013. The finalisation of this policy will pave the way for the Independent Communications Authority of SA to licence the much sought after 2.6 Gigahertz and 800 Megahertz spectrum, including the extended digital dividend."
By doing this, she says, the department will increase network capacity, improve coverage, promote competition and facilite black economic empowerment.
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