State of Readiness for 2010 World Cup: briefings by Department, Sentech, & SABC

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT AND RECREATION
31 October 2006
STATE OF READINESS FOR 2010 WORLD CUP: BRIEFINGS BY DEPARTMENT, SENTECH, & SABC

Co-Chairpersons: Mr G Oliphant (ANC) and Mr B Komphela (ANC)

Documents handed out:
ICT’s and 2010 Presentation
SABC: 2010 FIFA World Cup Preparations
SABC Annual Results: 31 March 2006
Presentation by the Chairperson of the SABC
SABC: Sisulu Commission Presentation
Presentation by Sentech

SUMMARY
The Department of Communications was responsible for guarantees for the 2010 World Cup regarding the creation of broadcasting and telecommunications infrastructure. The main media and press centres and media centres at all venues would have to be established, and linked to the main broadcasting centre. The network would have to provide a quality service without a single point of failure. The current status of interventions to meet these guarantees was described. The Department would be setting up fibre communications, backed by satellite links, and voice and data connections. It would have to produce high density television signals. It still had to identify stakeholders and to create a structure that would allow for redundancy after the event. It must link all operators. The status of the broadcasting guarantees was described. Challenges included the limited radio frequency spectrum, coverage in rural areas, scarce skills and the need for development. The network would reduce costs in future, and would assist in wireless broadband rollout.
 
Sentech reported that its main role of Sentech would be to concentrate on satellite and wireless solutions. It would also deal with high density television and mobile television. It illustrated how the traffic would be carried and backed up. There was a need to upgrade satellite capacity and to spread signals to Africa. Radio services would need attention and short wave broadcasting as well as local broadcasting would be used. By 2010 there should be broadband wireless connection to all venues. By 2010 around 70% of South Africa would have access to digital television. High Density television would be introduced in phases. A mobile programme would be ready by 2009. Testing would occur in 2007. More funding was needed for an advanced satellite service and although Sentech had not received a mandate for this, security networks were also required.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that it would have a dual role of technical support and of education. It would be responsible for the generation of the television signals to the outside world that would guarantee the success of the tournament. No interruption of signals was possible. Branding and atmosphere were vital. The legacy issue was crucial and after the World Cup there would need to be discussion on best use of facilities by the continent. African wide marketing would be conducted. Communication and education were equally important and should convey a host of issues to fans and hospitality institutions. Public viewing sites were also very important and pilot projects would be run in 2007.
There was a need for a large and efficient infrastructure. SABC and the local organising committee were already liaising. Broadcasters must be included in stadium design. The Corporation had established a stand alone unit to deal with 2010. Challenges included the necessity for total coverage, access in rural areas, and broad language coverage.

The Department of Communications summarised the roles of Sentech and Telkom. Both would be providing services in connecting stadiums and other venues. Co-operation with other countries would be ensured. The legacy issue was key. Proper plans would have to be made for the further utilisation of the broadcasting centres. Committees were assisting the Department to monitor delivery.

It was noted that the role of Telkom would be clarified at a later date, when issues of licencing and bottlenecks could be raised. It was noted also that an SABC technical team should be on board with the local organizing committee. .

MINUTES
Co-Chairperson Mr Komphela said that the invitation to his Committee to join their counterparts from the Communications Committee illustrated the fact that the 2010 World Cup was an issue that would cut across many areas of governance. He said that the public was broadly critical of the education and information being provided in respect of preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This was a grave concern. He had heard that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was playing a minimal role at the sittings of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). By contrast, SuperSport, represented by Mr Koos Bekker, was serving on the LOC. He asked what the role of the SABC was. The SABC should hold a meeting after every meeting of the LOC, which it could use to inform the public. He said that he would be engaging with the soccer authorities and the Minister the next day. He pointed out that in his Committee the ANC and the DA always reached agreement.

Briefing by Department of Communications
Mr Sibongile Makopi, Chief Director, Department of Communications,  (DoC), apologised for the absence of the Director-General who had other pressing engagements. He presented the guarantees made by the government for which the DoC was responsible. These were in two areas. Firstly, in terms of broadcasting, DoC was responsible for the creation of the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). This would include reliable power supplies and other infrastructure. The main media and press centres and media centres at all venues would also have to be established. In terms of telecommunications, an infrastructure linking all venues with the IBC would have to be established. This network would have to provide a quality service without a single point of failure.

Mr Makopi said that this created certain obligations on DoC to meet these guarantees. Fibre communications would be set up between stadiums and the IBC. These would be backed up by satellite links. DoC would assist with the establishment of the IBC. There would also be a need for fibre and satellite connections between the IBC and the International Gateway. Data and voice communications were needed between venues other than the match stadiums, such as accommodation facilities, and the IBC. Another requirement was the ability to produce High Density Television (HDTV) signals.

He described the interventions needed by DoC to fulfill the guarantees. The DoC still had to identify the stakeholders who would be the broadcasters and telecommunications operators in 2010. A broadcasting infrastructure was to be created which would allow for redundancy. The Department would be the link between the various role players, including state-owned enterprises such as Telkom. The strengths of each operator would have to be determined.

Mr Makopi then outlined the current status in terms of the broadcasting guarantees. FIFA had awarded the production rights to HBS in February 2006. The SABC had secured broadcasting rights for both 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and the lead-up events. The role and status of other local and African broadcasters was still to be determined. The SABC was preparing to support FIFA’s broadcasters. Meetings had commenced between DoC and the FIFA broadcasting team. In terms of the telecommunications guarantees, FIFA had supplied their requirements. The infrastructure readiness had still to be confirmed. The location of the IBC still had to be identified.

He then listed the challenges facing DoC. The radio frequency spectrum was limited. Access to broadcast coverage in the rural areas was still a problem. HDTV was still not a reality. Project management skills to deal with this scope of project needed to be proved. Skills development was needed to achieve the goals. The provision of Integrated Communications and Technology (ICT) services would provide opportunities to South Africans. This was linked to some national objectives. Some services would be privatised. There would be more impact on individuals involved in the ICT sector. Skills development was necessary to foster employment in the sector.

Mr Makopi listed some legacy issues. The communications networks established would help to reduce costs in the future. The provinces could use Media and press centres. The rollout of services in the rural areas would be eased in part by the creation of wireless broadband services. He then presented a high level overview of the ICT structure. A Wide Area Network would be created, linking the stadiums and other facilities with the IBC and the internet.

Briefing by Sentech
Mr Frans Lindeque, Acting Chief Operations Officer, Sentech, said that Sentech would meet their required role with solutions based on wireless technology. Satellite services would be used to link stadiums and other facilities with the IBC. Apart from satellite based communications, Sentech would also have responsibilities in the development of HDTV and mobile television.

He presented illustrations of the satellite footprint that would represent the coverage achieved. Sentech’s base in Honeydew was one of the largest in Africa, and represented the core of their business. This facility would have to be replicated off site. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) Broadband Cable (EASSy) off the East African coast would carry the majority of traffic but back-up facilities had to be provided. The existing facilities could not carry enough data, but this new cable would provide the necessary capacity. Satellite services would be the back up for the cable. Wideband facilities thus provided would be used to carry television signals into Africa.

Mr Lindeque said that satellite capacity would have to be upgraded. The current coverage included all of sub-Saharan Africa. Satellite coverage could be used to spread the signals to both the Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations as well as the rest of Africa south of the Sahara. It would also be an access route to channel the South African feed to the international community.

He said that radio services also needed attention. Short-wave broadcasting was still widely used on the African continent. This had to be considered in addition to local broadcasting. By 2010 there should be broadband wireless connections to all the venues, and between the IBC and stadiums.

Sentech would have a role with the introduction of Digital Television Technology (DTT). By 2010 about 70% of the country would have access to DTT. However, the capacity and spectrum availability were extremely limited. He could not foresee that HDTV would be available by terrestrial broadcast systems, but would only be available via satellite. The first phase of the introduction of HDTV should be completed by 2008 and would achieve 53% coverage of the country. The DoC was running a workgroup to manage the programme. The second phase would take the coverage up to 78% by 2010, and the third phase would achieve 100% coverage.

Mr Lindeque said that Sentech was also charged with mobile television. A pilot program had been run during 2006 and had been very successful. This would be ready by 2009. The HDTV links required by the government guarantee would be supported by the main backbone, and the medium would be fibre. This was not Sentech’s business area. Testing of the system would happen in 2007. A consortium was currently testing mobile television broadcasting to handheld sets. The technology had been proven, and this should be available well before 2010.

Some details still had to be determined regarding the spectrum requirements. This would be an African based event, and Sentech would provide support into Africa. An advanced satellite service would be provided by 2010, but funding was needed. He believed that a national security network was needed, but Sentech had not been mandated to create this. Negotiations had been held, based on a satellite service.

Briefing by South African Broadcasting Corporation
Mr Dali Mpofu (Group CEO, SABC) said that the role of the SABC was two-dimensional. The first role was a technical one and the second was educational. This latter role was to make the nation and the continent a part of the tournament, and no organisation but the SABC could perform this.

He said that a team from SABC had gone to Germany during the 2006 World Cup to learn from Germany’s experience. They had seen the amount of work to be done, but there was now a starting point. Numerous lessons had been learned during the six weeks the team spent in Germany. A key lesson was the importance of communication and partnerships.

Mr Mpofu said that the technical role of the SABC would be the provision of a television feed. This was the heart of the matter, and was what made the World Cup. Without a television feed, the vast revenues from advertising could not be realised. This was ultimately all that FIFA was interested in, and no interruption could be accepted. In his report to the LOC, he said that spectators were little more than props to make the picture look good. The branding and atmosphere were important.

He described the problems of shadows on the field during the first game of the 2006 event. There had been an atmosphere similar to a World War in the international media centre pending solutions being found for this problem.

He said that the legacy issue was crucial. It was not just about the four weeks of the tournament, as this would not justify the expenditure required. After the World Cup there would have to be serious discussions with other SADC countries. Facilities should be open to the continent. African broadcasters should speak with one voice. Continental rights had to be negotiated with FIFA to ensure favourable terms. African wide marketing would be conducted and a road show would be held in South Africa. The SABC Africa already had partnerships with thirty African broadcasters in highlighting issues such as HIV/AIDS.

Mr Mpofu said that the football economy would be improved. By 2011 there would be proper facilities everywhere.

Communication and education plans should not start their involvement just one month before the tournament. Issues to be conveyed should include how to be a responsible fan and hospitality towards foreign visitors. The SABC would play a significant role a month or two before the event. This would be the Corporation’s own obligation.

Mr Mpofu said that a demonstration of HDTV had been given during the World Cup match between Brazil and Ghana. He was hopeful that DTT targets would be reached or exceeded by 2009.

He said that public viewing sites would be important in terms of nation building. The crowds at these events in Germany had been more united than those in the stadiums. By the end of the World Cup the Germans had never felt so united. Centres would be provided with big screens and would be enjoyed by large numbers of people. SABC would start experimenting with these facilities for some Premier Soccer League and South African matches during 2007. A pilot program had been held in Limpopo, when the recent match between South Africa and Zambia had taken place, and had been successful.

Mr Mpofu said that the DoC briefing had already covered the guarantees. He then gave an outline of the value chain. He said that the first outside broadcast unit had arrived the previous day. This van was equipped for HDTV transmissions, and had cost R50 million. Another eight or nine of these units would be needed for the World Cup. A decision still needed to be taken whether to buy or lease this equipment. This technology could be made available for other major African events.

He pointed out that the infrastructure surrounding the IBC was massive. The centre in Germany covered some 30 hectares in Munich. This was the nerve centre, and the signal would be routed through it. The German version had generators to ensure power supply with several back-up options.

Mr Mpofu said that the broadcast rights were sold by FIFA and then sold on to different territories. The SABC had bought the rights South Africa.

There was liaison between the SABC and the LOC. Stadium design must include input from the broadcasters. Crucial issues were camera positions and the routing for cabling.

Mr Mpofu said that a 2010 unit had been established within the SABC and was a stand-alone operation. One of its priorities was the access to broadcast services. There was a commitment to providing every South African with access to broadcasts. It would also assist with ensuring adequate public viewing areas.

A crucial outcome was the legacy to be provided by 2010. One of the aspects would be that all stadiums would be beneficial to football. The SABC would also be looking to assist with the successful staging of the competition. They would be looking at developing the public’s appetite for football. They would support government and continental organisations in boosting the concept of an African World Cup. Other African teams and players would also be supported. There would be a cross-border transfer of skills and expertise. Markets and awareness would be developed. The SABC would work towards generating support for Bafana Bafana, and mobilising the nation in this regard.

Mr Mpofu said that reliable technology was needed. In Germany a foreign company had been used to develop the graphics used to enhance the broadcast. He wanted to see a local company doing this in 2010.

He described how hard the SABC had fought and negotiated in Zurich to obtain the broadcast rights. It was important that the national broadcasters should win these rights, and they had secured the rights for both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments. These included radio, satellite and terrestrial broadcasts.

Mr Mpofu concluded that one of the main challenges for the SABC would be to ensure total coverage of the event. Access in the rural areas had to be ensured. There were also challenges in the number of languages to be used for commentaries.

Briefing by Department of Communications on roles of Sentech and Telkom
Ms Rosey Sekese, Deputy Director-General, DoC, briefly described the roles of Sentech and Telkom. Both would be providing services in connecting stadiums and other venues to the IBC, and between IBC and the national network. Sentech would be responsible for satellite links and Telkom for fibre-optic links. The same division would apply to links between IBC and the international gateway. Satellite links and the EASSy cable would provide international connectivity.

She said that the tournament would be an African Cup. Co-operation with other countries within the Nepad domain would be ensured. The legacy issue was key. Proper plans would have to be made for the further utilisation of the IBC and the various media centres. She sketched the way forward. Various committees had been formed to enable the DoC to monitor delivery and to provide vehicles for timely intervention. These included an Inter Ministerial Committee, a Technical Coordinating Committee, a DoC Project Team and an ICT Industry Coordinating Committee.

Co-Chairperson Mr Oliphant said that the role of Telkom would be better clarified at a later date. Issues to be addressed at that time would be licencing and bottlenecks.

Co-Chairperson Mr Komphela said that he still wished to address one issue with SABC. The host cities cooperated on technical issues. In some cities building had already started on the stadiums. Given the importance that had been attached to provision for camera positions and cabling, he felt that an SABC technical team should be on board.

Mr Mpofu replied that there were in discussions with the host cities. This should ideally happen at LOC level. A presentation had been made to them on this matter. Host cities would be dealing with other issues such as public viewing sites. There had been discussions with the SA Local Government Association and with the various MEC’s.

The meeting was adjourned.