Communications minister Dina Pule has called on the public to have a hand in shaping the development of SA's National Broadband Policy, with the goal of reaching government's vision of giving every citizen access to broadband services by 2020.
A week after publication of the National Broadband Policy for SA in the Government Gazette, the Department of Communications (DOC) has issued a statement urging South Africans to submit their comments.
"The public has 30 days from the date of publication of the gazette to submit their comments, [which] will be considered as part of finalising this leading policy document on the rollout and use of ICT in creating jobs, fighting inequality and developing rural economies."
Pule says government has realised that fighting SA's social challenges can be most effectively addressed through "progressive partnerships with society, labour and business, especially the small and medium-size enterprises".
The minister points out that, while the DOC does not relinquish its responsibility of leading the sector, the department has a positive track record of engaging all stakeholders.
Policy particulars
The DOC states: "The proposed National Broadband Policy complements and augments the work that is already being done through the Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15, which deals with expanding access to information and communications services with a special focus on broadband, digital terrestrial television and school connectivity.
"The proposed policy deals with the complete value chain of broadband rollout, including attracting related investment in broadband infrastructure, enterprise development, encouraging the manufacturing of end-user equipment locally in SA, the support for research and development activities in support of the development of appropriate applications and content and reducing the cost of broadband rollout through the creation of a single point of entry for regulatory approvals. This is in addition to the rollout of infrastructure that is covered through SIP 15."
Government will be a key user of broadband as it seeks to improve the quality of service delivery through the use of e-government services such as e-learning and e-health, says Pule.
"In the end, this policy must help the country to increase its productivity and place SA at the cutting-edge of technological advancement, as forecast by the National Development Programme."
The DOC says this call for public comment will be supplemented by provincial roadshows scheduled for this month.
"The government has invited industry, state and local government and municipalities to contribute to the vision of SA becoming a leading digital economy by 2020. The government will continue to collaborate with industry, provinces and local government and municipalities to progress their digital economy goals, and will promote dialogue and networking on identified issues of national importance to SA's digital economy."
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