Broadband forum hails minister`s speech

Johannesburg, 26 Jun 2009

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) has welcomed steps by minister of communications Siphiwe Nyanda to finalise a national broadband policy.

The organisation, which is a co-founder of the National Broadband Forum (NBF), has called the minister`s statement, to develop a national broadband policy for SA, a "bold step".

Speaking during his budget speech in Parliament earlier this week, Nyanda emphasised the role of broadband and said his department would finalise a national policy by March 2010.

"APC welcomes the minister`s bold steps to develop a national broadband policy for SA. We hope that all sectors of society will participate as partners with the government to develop a national broadband policy that will achieve the aims the minister has set out in his speech. It is good news that SA now has the leadership to advance towards the goal of affordable broadband for all."

The NBF is an initiative of the APC, the Shuttleworth Foundation, the Southern African NGO Network and SA Connect. The group has taken on the task of drafting a framework for a comprehensive national broadband strategy - which it hopes will form a part of government policy.

While the forum says it will engage the minister, it still remains unclear how its framework will contribute to the drafting of a national broadband strategy. The department previously stated it was aware of the NBF and its aims and said it welcomed input from the group. It noted, however, that, while it welcomed contributions, the NBF must remain mindful of the department`s efforts on the development of a national broadband policy.

The department has been promising a broadband strategy for several years. In 2006, with the introduction of the Electronic Communications Act (EC Act), then deputy communications minister Roy Padayachie said a broadband policy framework would be announced soon.

Despite previous delays, the forum says it was encouraged by the minister`s statements. Nyanda, in his speech, highlighted the importance of extending broadband through "targeted interventions to encourage the uptake and usage of broadband services across the country, particularly in remote rural and under serviced areas". He added that a holistic, co-ordinated national approach was needed to ensure the provision of affordable, reliable and secure broadband infrastructure and services.

The forum has established a Web site where interested groups can view the framework, post comments and sign their support for the development and implementation. At last count, the framework had received 1 628 individual signatures and the support of 227 organisations. The forum said it was looking to have a critical mass of support numbering around 10 000, before engaging the minister on the incorporation of the framework into a policy document.