Parliament's portfolio committee on communications yesterday approved the Nepad/Eassy protocol to build undersea and terrestrial links on Africa's eastern side, to go before the national assembly for final ratification.
This means Parliament's main house will probably pass the protocol later this week, making it law and binding the country to its provisions. These include the setting up of special purpose vehicles to manage the building of the East African Submarine Cable System (Eassy) and the Nepad Broadband Infrastructure Network (NBIN).
The first network will be along the coast, connecting with other international undersea cables in the Indian Ocean, and the second for a terrestrial link running from SA to the Rwandan capital of Kigali.
All the members of the ruling ANC voted in favour of the protocol, while the opposition DA opposed it, and the MPs from the IFP and the Independent Democrats abstained.
Initially, 23 African countries signed the NBIN memorandum of understanding, but only 11 have actually signed it, and SA becomes only the second country set to ratify it after Rwanda.
Countries that have signed the protocol are SA, Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya, which was supposed to be a key player in the laying of the Eassy cable, appears to have pulled out.
Protocol principles
During the parliamentary discussions, Department of Communications director-general Lyndall Shope-Mafole said the NBIN/Eassy protocol would adhere to the principles of open and non-discriminatory access. This means it would not be a closed consortium, as on the west coast SAT-3 undersea cable.
She also said the department had been advised by the state law advisor and the Department of Foreign Affairs that the protocol did not contravene any of the country's existing laws, such as the Electronic Communications Act.
Shope-Mafole also stated she expects the NBIN project to be working by the end of 2009 and that discussions have been held with equipment supplier Alcatel Lucent in this regard.
Two months ago, Telkom signed the Eassy construction and maintenance agreement. At the time, Shope-Mafole criticised Telkom for this as it was seen as running counter to the NBIN principles.
"At the time we took them to task on this. What good is it for us to have a shareholding in Telkom and not use it to bring down the price of telecommunications?" she asked.
Telkom share debate
The South African government still owns a total of 38.5% of Telkom's shares and has the right to appoint its board members.
Kgotos Khumal (ANC) commented this point opened the debate on whether government should continue to be a Telkom shareholder.
"It is time to look at the issue of government's shareholding [in Telkom] as it does have a ripple effect," he said.
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