Padayachie promises significant change

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 20 Jul 2006

Broadband fireworks are still to come, says deputy communications minister Roy Padayachie, in light of yesterday`s commencement of the Electronic Communications (EC) Act.

He would not provide details of what this would entail. However, he says the Department of Communications has set a target of six months to finalise internal discussions, before announcements are made about a broadband policy framework.

"One of the things we don`t want to do is give dates we can`t keep," he says.

Padayachie reaffirms that with the EC Act and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) Amendment Act coming into effect, significant changes will be implemented in the telecoms sector.

The department is on track with its broadband policy framework, tabled in the Estimates of National Expenditure, which is set for completion by September 2006, he notes.

The Broadband Advisory Council, which communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri announced in her annual budget speech, has several good projects in the pipeline, says Padayachie. A meeting with the council has been planned and some of the deadlines will be set then.

Infrastructure

Sentech remains a central player in government`s wireless broadband infrastructure, he says, adding the second national operator also has significant assets that could be used to provide affordable broadband.

The most important goal, however, will be to create opportunities for new players to enter the telecoms market, he says.

Padayachie says government is still looking at its options regarding the SAT 3 undersea cable. The next round of negotiations is coming up next year when the national monopoly expires, he says.

Gabriel Solomon, the GSM Association`s government and regulatory affairs director, says the ending of the national monopoly is an excellent opportunity for Telkom to play a key role in lowering telecoms pricing.

"My hope is Telkom will give concessions and reach an agreement that is favourable to [it], while still helping government achieve its broadband policy goals," he says.