Question NW4060 to the Minister of Communications
21 December 2015 - NW4060
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether his department has taken steps to strengthen the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in order to promote the development of Information Communication Technology infrastructure that is reliable, secure and affordable; if not, why not; if so, (a) how has ICASA been strengthened, (b) what has ICASA done with its additional powers and (c) to what extent does South Africa now have Information Communication Technology infrastructure that is robust, reliable, secure and most importantly, affordable?
Reply:
(1) The Ministry of Communications has taken steps to strengthen the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in order to promote the development of Information Communication Technology infrastructure that is reliable, secure and affordable. The Minister will be tabling the ICASA Amendment Bill 2016 to specifically address these issues. Some of the issues will also be dealt with in the Green Paper on Broadcasting Policy Review:
(a) ICASA will be strengthened once we finalized and agree on the policy positions in the Green Paper and Bill.
(b) ICASA will use its additional powers, if any will be given, once the above processes have been finalized.
(c ) The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services is the one addressing infrastructure issues, Ministry of Communications is now dealing with media and content issues
MR J RANTETE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: