Question NW53 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

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29 February 2016 - NW53

Profile picture: Robertson, Mr K

Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services

(1) (a) How many set top boxes were delivered to households in the Northern Cape during January 2016, (b) what was the cost of (i) delivery and (ii) installation of each unit and (c) what is the name of the (i) person and/or (ii) company that installed the specified units; (2) (a) how many of the specified units were subsidised and (b) by what amount; (3) whether every household that received the specified units was in possession of a valid TV licence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) how many of the specified units delivered to households in the Northern Cape were delivered in the area of the Square Kilometre Array, (b)(i) how many of the specified units were subsidised and (ii) by how much and (c) when will the rollout be completed? NW53E

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

(1)(a) 62

(b)(i) Costs of delivery = R 14 768. 40 (R 238.20 per unit including VAT)

(ii) Cost of Installation =R 550 (VAT included) per unit

(c)(i)&(ii): The following 7 installation Companies appointed by USAASA were utilised for the installations:

  • AMIGEN INVESTMENT (PTY) LTD
  • DURAMICS TRADING & PROJECT T/A NAKA TELECOMMS SYSTEM ENGIN
  • KETELELO TRADING CONCEPTS
  • KROXWORX TRADING (PTY) LTD
  • LAMEC TRADING (PTY) LTD
  • MAZIYA GENERAL SERVICES CC
  • SILVERWELL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

(2)(a) 62

(b) All the units were fully (100%) subsidised. The subsidy amount is approximately R1 500 per household. This includes the set top box, antenna and the installation costs.

(3) TV Licence Requirement Details:-

Yes. The TV licence verification process was streamlined via the SABC’s web portal confirmation process. A pending registration file process for the needy households that do not have TV licence or whose TV licence is in arrears has been introduced on the request of the Department of Communications during mid-October 2015. The total number of pending file registrations for the period ending 31 January 2016 amounted to 447 in total. The SABC’s decision on the way forward in this regard is awaited.

(4)(a) All units delivered were in the Square Kilometre Array area.

(4)(b)(i) Number of subsidised units = 62 units

(4)(b)(ii) All the units were fully (100%) subsidised. The subsidy amount is approximately R1 500 per household. This includes the set top box, antenna and the installation costs.

(4)(c) The targeted rollout completion date is 2019, if required uptake materialises.

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