The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) is teaming up with operators and state-owned entities to address communications challenges in Mafefe.
The authority in March hosted the International Consumer Rights Day Roadshows across SA.
“During the roadshows, the authority hosted the campaign at Mafefe village, situated in the Limpopo Province. The village was found to be an exception compared to many other villages visited at the time due to lack of mobile network connectivity, television broadcasting services and limited radio services.”
ICASA adds that the availability of postal services is also on a limited scale, as the community has to walk long distances to access these facilities.
Network tests
To address this problem, ICASA chairperson Stephen Mncube has engaged with and arranged a meeting with all network service providers, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA and other stakeholders.
The meeting will be held at Mafefe village where the stakeholders will collectively come up with a strategy for ensuring universal service and access to communication services in the village and other similar under-serviced areas in the country.
“The team of ICASA inspectors will, on Thursday (02/08/12), be conducting network tests and measurements to determine the network levels and whether calls can be made from the area.”
The authority adds that among others, its team will check the television and radio signals to determine the picture quality as well as which radio stations can be reached in the area.
A full presentation of the state of affairs will be presented to the stakeholders at the meeting tomorrow.
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