Question NW4130 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

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08 December 2015 - NW4130

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(1)What are the details of the process followed to appoint a lead agency for the rollout of broadband services to the eight district municipalities that are the first phase of SA Connect; (2) (a) what are the criteria used to determine the (i) role and (ii) capabilities of the lead agency and (b) when will the appointment of the specified agency be announced?

Reply:

  1. The Lead Entity has not been appointed yet because the Department is following due process.

(2)(a)(i) Current infrastructure roll-out is fragmented, it leads to duplication of efforts and resources, and also focuses on urban areas. Additionally, the roll-out of parallel and competing networks especially in rural areas is considered not feasible or viable because of the socio-economic profile of the rural areas and demand for services. The criteria for designating a Lead Entity took into consideration the extent of fibre infrastructure in the country and the national network scope and scale that can be leveraged to reduce the cost and distances to connect facilities to existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the entity should have the capacity to coordinate other State-Owned Entities (SOEs) in order to leverage and efficiently use State assets and investments to expedite broadband roll-out, particularly in rural areas, in a cost effective manner.

(ii) Refer to (i) above

(b) The appointment of the Lead Agency will be announced once the appointment process has been finalised.

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