Question NW1211 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
04 January 2023 - NW1211
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether her department has any plans in place to prepare rural villages under the Ugu District Municipality, which includes villages in Harding and uMdoni in KwaZulu-Natal, that have been identified to become part of the second smart city; if not, why not; if so, will they receive free data when licences are issued for the wide spectrum after the much-anticipated auction? NW1464E
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:
The Department (DCDT) has received Cabinet approval to roll out services to schools, health facilities and communities as part of SA Connect Phase 2. The Department consulted with various National Departments and Provinces to develop plans aligned with the District Development Model. The outcome of the consultations led to prioritisation of areas to be connected based on the input from beneficiary departments, provinces and municipalities.
Mobile operators are also required to connect a number of the public service institutions such as public libraries, public schools, government clinics, government hospitals and traditional authority offices. ICASA is still in a consultation process with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the abovementioned obligations are implemented.