New ICT legislation has created a great deal of uncertainty in the IT industry. In an attempt to clarify the issue, a number of industry experts will provide in-depth analyses of the legislation and its implications for SA business at the Futurex conference, to be held in Sandton next month.
Lance Michalson, head of Michalsons Information Technology Attorneys, will discuss the implications of the ECT Act, as well as other IT and information laws for business decision-makers.
"As there is no singular ICT law in South Africa, one has to state what various laws one subjectively believes fall under the umbrella of ICT legislation and motivate why one says so," says Michalson.
Because a lot of the ICT legislation laws are driven by government policy, Michalson stresses the importance of stating how business should treat some of these laws. "This issue forms a substantial component of my presentation as it is important for business to have a clear understanding," he says.
IT players remain unsure of what the process going forward is, says Future Perfect Corporation director Alan Levin. The public met the controversial Convergence Bill draft with much scepticism, and public responses to the proposed Bill were submitted to Government in early February.
"We have no idea what the response will be to Parliament`s submissions in February," says Levin.
The real digital divide is a legislative one. [...] a lot of IT people are not aware of the damage being done.
Neil Emerick, council member, Free Market Foundation of Southern Africa
Free Market Foundation of Southern Africa council member Neil Emerick will review the convergence legislative framework and how it can go forward. Emerick will also look at what he sees as key problems with the new legislation. "The real digital divide is a legislative one. We are being left behind because of our legislation, and a lot of IT people are not aware of the damage being done."
Emerick will also cover economic liberty and the importance of the communication industry to the economy as a whole.
Levin will look at the legislative and regulatory framework from a business perspective, focusing on the implications of the Convergence Bill, as well as the new telecoms and wireless licence for businesses of all sizes: "I will talk practically and realistically about what it means to business people. Basically, I will tell them what the bottom line is."
Futurex: The Conference will be staged at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng between 18 and 20 May. It will run alongside the Futurex exhibition, which is on from 18-21 May.
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