The SA Local Government Association (Salga) has recommended that all municipalities be connected on fast, affordable broadband by 2014.
The issue was raised at the association's national conference, which was attended by over 2 000 councillors and government officials.
Salga says the aim of the conference was to elect the new national executive committee, which is its political leadership. Councillor Thabo Manyoni was named the new chairperson of Salga.
The topic of ICTs was raised in the Economic Development and Planning Commission, according to the association.
During this discussion, the challenges and opportunities of ICTs for municipalities were raised.
Questions were also raised around what capacity and assistance municipalities need to support their ICT agenda, considering that to be effective they need to have the correct ICT people, governance structures, processes and technologies in place, including broadband connectivity.
“Delegates also shared their views on good ICT practices, the importance of investing in broadband, as well as what kind of support and advice they need from Salga,” said the association.
The commission then made a recommendation to support the role of ICT practitioners in municipalities.
“To raise the profile and application of ICTs for effective municipal administration, governance and e-participation and to ensure that all municipalities are connected on fast, affordable broadband by 2014,” was the recommendation, according to Salga.
Enhanced service
Salga specialist in economic development and ICTs Douglas Cohen said SA's currently liberalised telecommunication landscape shows local demand is often not enough to attract broadband carriers to all regions of the country.
“Much of SA's economic activity is only concentrated in six metros and 21 secondary cities. There are high disparities between urban and rural economies.”
He added that research in 2008 on municipal connectivity highlighted that of the 283 municipalities, about three out of five use leased lines, while the trend is moving towards broadband, with only approximately a third of municipalities on broadband (such as ADSL, wireless broadband or virtual private networks).
“The reason many municipalities remain on dial-up, or basic digital network (ISDN) services for their Internet connection is due to the very limited access and availability of affordable broadband.
“From a local government's perspective, it is imperative that all municipalities are enabled and empowered through the provision of broadband for their own internal-use but also for the opportunities broadband can bring as a socio-economic enabler within their local economies.”
Cohen said it is ultimately a factor supporting improved service delivery, of which LED is a component.
Essential access
He added that there is a drive from multiple sectors within national government on the importance for all spheres of government to play a role in access to ICTs, especially broadband.
Some local governments have proactively invested resources of their own in establishing broadband networks.
However, there are challenges. Cohen says these include defining the role of local government in facilitating the access particularly in rural areas, limited ICT capacity and awareness within local government, and considering if there really is a business case.
“Access is essential to the economic and social development of communities, cities, countries and continents.”
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