The Department of Communications will soon finalise the local loop unbundling policy, it says.
The policy provides guidance to the Independent Communication Authority of SA (ICASA) on how the local loop should be unbundled.
Department spokesman Albi Modise says the final policy document has already gone through the public comment stage, and is likely to be published this week.
The policy document is with the state law advisors, who will ensure it does not conflict with existing laws and regulations, he says.
In the works
ICASA spokesman Jubie Matlou says the regulator is already doing preliminary work on the unbundling implementation plan. He would not commit to specific dates for when ICASA will finalise the plan, only saying "the moment the policy is out", ICASA will be able to move with the initiative.
"We started to do the preliminary work once the minister announced the draft policy, but we cannot finalise the implementation plan until the policy is gazetted."
Chairman Paris Mashile adds that a committee to drive the implementation process is being constituted. This team, which will develop a project management plan and allocate resources, costs and timeframes to the process, will include entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth.
"We're fast-tracking the implementation process, but we don't want to pre-empt the ministerial policy by communicating our plans at the moment," says Matlou.
Clarity needed
The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) recently said it was growing increasingly concerned with the ongoing confusion surrounding the regulator's exact steps in unbundling the local loop.
USAASA believes a detailed implementation plan from the regulator, with clear milestones and timelines for the unbundling of the local loop, is of critical importance to ensure the process is not unduly delayed beyond November 2011, says USAASA CEO James Theledi.
USAASA also urges Telkom to share its local loop with other entrants. This will lead to a wider choice of services, lower prices, and roll-out of ICT services in rural and underserviced areas, says Theledi. It will also accelerate the establishment of an inclusive information society, he adds.
The Communication Workers Union says new players must be encouraged to do proper investment and explore new technologies in the market.
The union argues that multinationals must also be encouraged to make infrastructure investments. "Their investments must not be confined to service or activities that will enable them to make quick returns," says spokesman Mfanafuthi Sithole.
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