Electronic Communications Amendment Bill - draft

The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has published the Electronic Communications Amendment Draft  Bill, and is asking you to comment.

The National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper (White Paper) published on 03 October 2017 outlines the overarching policy framework for the transformation of South Africa into an inclusive and innovative digital and knowledge society. The White Paper outlines government's approach to providing cross -government leadership and facilitating multi -stakeholder participation; interventions to reinforce fair competition and facilitate innovation in the converged environment; policies to protect the open Internet; policies to address the digital divide and new approaches to addressing supply -side issues and infrastructure rollout including managing scarce resources. In addition, the White Paper outlines policies to address demand -side issues in order to facilitate inclusive digital transformation in the country.

In order to enable the full implementation of the White Paper, new legislation and amendments to existing legislation are required. One of the Bills prepared by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services for this purpose is the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill that amongst other things seeks to address supply side challenges to transform South Africa into an inclusive, people- centred and developmental digital society.

Comments can be emailed to Ms. M Masemola at [email protected] by no later than Wednesday, 31 January 2018.

Enquiries can be to directed to Ms. M Masemola on tel (012) 427 8070/8512/8000