Question NO519 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

Reply:

• 1. Cabinet approved the revised SA Connect Phase 2 model and implementation plan which connects both Government and communities.
     
     The approved model is based on a partnership between SITA, Broadband Infraco and Sentech. It includes implementation via the social obligations in the new licensing plan of high demand spectrum, with Departments being responsible for maintenance thereafter.
     
     The step-by-step targets for each category are as follows:
     
     1. SITA will connect Government Sites (National and Provincial Departments – including the South African Police Service) and excluding schools and clinics (unless they are part of the existing broadband initiatives). Over the next 3 years:
     SITA will connect at a minimum of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) a total of 14 742 Government sites as well as 949 libraries and Thusong Centres

     Existing budgets from line departments must be utilised for maintenance and the extension of services provided by SITA.

     
     2. Telecommunication companies through the ICASA-awarded High Demand Spectrum licenses will be mandated as part of their Service Obligations within 36 months to provide 10Mbps (uplink and downlink), uncapped and upgradable for the same duration that the entities are licensed to utilise the spectrum broadband services to connect a total of:
     • 18 520 schools
     • 1764 pitals and 3967 clinics
     • 567 libraries and Thusong centres; and
     • 8241 Traditional and Tribal Authority centres
     
     3. Broadband Infraco and SENTECH will provide broadband infrastructure to enable more broadband connection possibilities at a minimum of 5 Mbps, positively affecting 5 830 208 households over the next 3 years, as follows:
     • 840 Open Access Base stations
     • 33 539 community Wi-Fi hotspots to connect 5 830 208 households
     • 1 600 households using a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) connections in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape mountainous areas
     
     Thank You.