Subscribe
  • Home
  • /
  • Networking
  • /
  • 'Creative connectivity solutions' needed for govt broadband project

'Creative connectivity solutions' needed for govt broadband project

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 30 Jun 2016
Minister Cwele still vague on SA Connect rollout date.
Minister Cwele still vague on SA Connect rollout date.

The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) has only just concluded the assessment of the eight rural district municipalities that will pilot phase one of SA Connect.

Last week, DTPS minister Siyabonga Cwele visited Pixley ka Seme District Municipality in the Northern Cape, the last of the districts identified by president Jacob Zuma, according to a department statement.

Cwele's last district visit also concluded the assessment of infrastructure in those districts.

Phase one of SA Connect will connect all schools, health facilities, government offices, Thusong Centres and post offices in eight rural district municipalities to broadband services.

However, the DTPS, which has been tasked with implementing the broadband project, is yet to say exactly when the rollout will commence. "Government is on course to start the rollout this calendar year," the minister noted.

But, he also spoke about the challenges: "We have identified OR Tambo and Pixley ka Seme Districts as posing the most challenges to connect. The terrain in OR Tambo is a big challenge. In Pixley ka Seme, the distances between communities are vast and need creative connectivity solutions."

Connectivity hurdles

As part of the National Development Plan (NDP), government has undertaken to connect its offices across the country, starting in the rural areas, to ensure that South Africans have access to the most modern communication tools and services.

SA Connect has been identified as the project that will meet the technology goals of the NDP to create an inclusive information society.

The broadband project aims to deliver 100% connectivity for all schools, health and government facilities by 2020, and deliver widespread broadband access to 90% of the country's population by 2020, and 100% by 2030.

In May, during the DTPS' budget vote speech, minister Cwele said: "Phase one of government broadband rollout in eight districts is almost ready for implementation after long planning, consultations and agreeing on coordinating structures with the eight municipalities and relevant provinces."

While it still remains unclear when rollout of broadband services in the district municipalities will take place, the issue of a lead agent for the government project is also still up in the air.

Addressing the National Assembly last year, Zuma confirmed fixed-line operator Telkom will take the lead in the deployment of broadband infrastructure, a move that has been criticised by pundits, the Democratic Alliance and the private sector.

The DTPS has refuted Zuma's comments, stating Telkom is only a "designated" and not "appointed" lead agent.

Earlier this year, DTPS spokesperson Siya Qoza said: "The announcement of the service provider will only be done once the department has finalised the process and the subsequent conclusion of the necessary agreements."

Share