Postal Services Amendment Bill [B22-2006]: deliberations

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Communications and Digital Technologies

10 October 2006
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Meeting report

COMMUNICATIONS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
10 October 2006
POSTAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL [B22-2006]: DELIBERATIONS

Acting Chairperson:
Mr G Oliphant (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Postal Services Amendment Bill [B22-2006]

SUMMARY

The committee met to deliberate the Postal Services Amendment Bill. No submission from the public on the bill had been received and it was mainly technical in nature. Members raised questions on the wording of Clause 3, and the reference to the ICT sector. Concerns were raised whether there was conflict with the Electronic Communications Act, whether there should be a definition of exclusive services, and whether the Post Office would become a full time internet service provider. The scope of Clause 7 was examined. It was pointed out that the integration of services was an international trend. It was decided that the Committee would continue its deliberations on the Bill the following day.

MINUTES

The Acting Chairperson informed members that the Postal Services Amendment Bill [B22-2006] was tabled in parliament two weeks earlier. On 15 and 17 September advertisements were placed in local newspapers inviting members of the public to make written and oral submissions on the bill. No submissions were received from the public. In essence the bill was technical in nature.

Ms D Smuts (DA) commented that Clause 3, referring to Section 2(a), should rather have reference to the postal sector than to the ICT sector.

The Acting Chairperson commented that the Bill had intended to integrate the postal regulations with the ICT sector.

Mr Brendan Hughes, representing the South African Postal Services, replied that Clause 3 Section 2(a) was clarified by the words following after the reference to the ICT sector. ICT was designated as a specific sector whereas postal services were not.

Ms Smuts enquired whether the proposed Section 4(b) was not in conflict with the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). She commented that there was no definition of exclusive services in the bill. She commented that Clause 5 of the bill contained the same wording as the ECA.

Ms Smuts enquired if the Post Office was to become a full Internet service provider. She commented that it was interesting that it would be able to be an Internet Provider under this legislation but under the ECA would need to apply for a licence to do so.

Ms Smuts referred to Clause 7 of the Bill and asked for the rationale of the Minister in integrating postal services in ICASA, particularly if the Minister was still to decide on certain issues.

Mr Hughes commented that Clause 7 did not introduce new powers.

The Acting Chairperson added that there was a move to integrate certain sections of the Department, and Mr R Mohlalonga (ANC) commented that this integration followed international trends.

The Acting Chairperson announced that members should try to finalise deliberations on the Bill on the following day.

The meeting was adjourned.

 

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