Needy people to be defined

By Christelle du Toit for USAASA

Johannesburg, 18 Aug 2008

The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) is undertaking a consultative process on the definitions of universal access and universal service, as part of its legislative mandate.

Under this process, the definition of "needy people" is also to be determined, as the Electronic Communications (EC) Act does not stipulate it.

USAASA has gazetted its proposed definitions to start consultations on these.

Agency CEO James Theledi says: "The framework of the consultative document is based on international best practice and circumstances prevailing in the country in relation to access to ICT infrastructure and services."

Chapter 14 of the EC Act states that USAASA assists the minister of communications to determine what constitutes universal access to ICT services, which is a basic right.

Theledi explains that these terms have not been defined, hampering the Independent Communications Authority of SA in its licensing work, as it has been relying on generally accepted norms, rather than legally accepted definitions.

USAASA's proposed definition for "universal access" is: "That every person, within their area, has reasonable (in terms of distance) and affordable access to publically available electronic communications network services, electronic communications services, and broadcasting services on a non-discriminatory basis."

Its proposed definition of "universal service" is: "A reliable connection, from any part of the country, to a defined minimum set of electronic communications services and broadcasting services, at an affordable rate regardless of geographic location, including no less than voice, data, and broadcasting services."

The proposed definition of "needy people" is: "People who qualify through the application of an agreed 'means test', who cannot afford to obtain electronic communications devices or broadcasting services at commercial rates - for reasons of income, and other factors in relation to income, including geography, age, disability, or other similar factors."

Interested parties have 30 working days to make written representations to USAASA. Copies of the gazetted document are available on the USAASA Web site, and at the government printers.

USAASA trends and key ICT indicators: