Question NW3655 to the Minister of Communications
03 November 2015 - NW3655
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) Whether three companies (names furnished) have been instructed to produce set-top boxes (STBs) arising from the four Digital Terrestrial Television programme tenders; if not, what are the relevant details; if so, (a) how many (i) STBs and (ii) antennae from each tender were ordered from each of the specified suppliers and (b) what are the costs of the specified items of each supplier, (2) whether any orders have been placed with other suppliers beside the specified suppliers; if so, (a) with which companies have these orders been placed, (b) when were the specified orders placed and (c) what is the delivery date of the specified orders; (3) whether a non-disclosure agreement by the Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa has been imposed on (a) her department and/or (b) the specified companies who have secured orders in terms of the specified tenders?
Reply:
(1) USAASA, as an entity, is responsible for the procurement of STBs and has confirmed placement of orders with the manufacturers of:
(a) (i) One million five hundred thousand (1.5 million)
(ii) One million antennae
(b) Department is still in the process of engagement with USAASA regarding the purchase prices of STBs and accessories
(2) USAASA has confirmed placement of purchase orders with the manufactures from the established panel of suppliers of STBs:
(a) USAASA has confirmed placing purchase orders with three companies
(b) Orders were placed in August 2015
(c) Delivery of STBs is dependent on the manufacturers satisfying Conformance Regime and the testing of STBs on the network. Actual delivery is to consider a lag period of eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks from ordering of components by manufacturers from suppliers.
(3)
(a) Any agreement for the production and supply of STBs is between USAASA and manufacturers
(b) Any agreement for the production and supply of STBs is between USAASA and manufacturers
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: