All communities in SA will have access to ICT by 2014, said communications minister Dina Pule yesterday.
Speaking on the Department of Communication's (DOC's) strategic and corporate plans, the minister added that ICT has proved itself to be fundamental in ensuring social and economic development. “We have an opportunity as government to serve our people better and enable the citizens to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
“SA, like many developing countries, is faced with challenges of ensuring access to basic ICT infrastructure. Improving access to ICT is one of the key government priorities, because this improves the quality of the lives of the people by connecting them to the rest of the world and a bigger universe of services that would not normally be available to them.”
ICT council
Pule said the department's flagship projects are geared to set the country on a high growth trajectory through access to modern technology and ICT service for all citizens.
The projects are broadband Internet connectivity; rural development and job creation; digital broadcasting migration implementation; cyber security policy implementation; radio frequency spectrum policy for national development; and the National ICT Policy Framework.
The department has also made a resolution about developing a research and development strategy with a key focus on improving the national system of innovation through the plans to establish a National ICT Research and Development Council. The council will provide strategies and policy advice on new growth opportunities.
E-readiness
The measurement of the ICT penetration in SA will be done through publication of the second eBarometer report by March 2013.
Launched in August, the DOC's eBarometer tool measures the progress of SA's uptake and usage of ICT. It will assist in analysing the country's e-readiness.
There will also be the development of a plan to establish the Computer Incident Response Team to combat cyber attacks this year, and the department will develop an ICT industry development strategy to support market competitiveness and growth, particularly local electronics manufacturing.
Master broadband
The DOC will amend the Electronic Communications Act to appropriately position the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA's (USAASA's) mandate. “The capacity of the agency to spend and account for the Universal Service Access Fund will also be articulated in this legislation. I will ensure that universal access and universal service be the concept for and bedrock of key policy proposals,” said Pule.
She added that the Broadband Master Plan, once finalised, will ensure that rural connectivity is delivered in a coordinated manner with the participation of Sentech and Broadband Infraco.
“More than 1 650 schools will have Internet connection. Licensing of new broadband spectrum will ensure broadband network coverage in rural and underserved areas. Through USAASA, about 100 ICT centres will be established in 2012/13, and the DOC will also establish three ICT SMME incubation hubs in three rural provinces.”
The department will also finalise a plan for establishing nine Digital Content Generation Hubs in all provinces. Funding will need to be appropriated during this year. “In this financial year, digital signal will reach over 74% of the population,” said Pule.
Share