Question NW3814 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
12 December 2023 - NW3814
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1)Whether his department has any targets for the attainment of full internet connectivity and/or access in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department has recorded any tangible achievements following its commitments made at the 2005 Internet Governance World Summit on the Information Society; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. South Africa’s broadband policy, called SA Connect was adopted by Cabinet in December 2013 to meet the country’s vision of a seamless network by 2030. This will make broadband universally accessible at a cost and quality that meets the needs of citizens, formal and informal businesses, and the public sector. In September 2021, the Department embarked on a process to consider an alternative approach to ensure rapid broadband roll-out with due regard to fiscal constraints.
In January 2022, Cabinet approved the implementation of SA Connect Phase 2 revised model. The revised model comprises the following:
- Community and household connectivity.
- Government facilities connectivity.
- Universal Service Obligations to connect public service institutions.
Targets:
a) Community and household connectivity - BBI and SENTECH will extend their networks and onboard Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deploy 32 055 Wi-Fi hotspots to enable 5 573 258 household coverage.
b) Connectivity to government facilities - SITA will provide and maintain connectivity to 14 342 government facilities across the country as part of its mandate as per the SITA Act.
c) Universal Service Obligations – Telcos that were assigned licensed spectrum by ICASA during the recent auction have social obligations to connect 33 431 sites made up of 18 520 schools, 5 721 hospitals and clinics, 949 libraries and 8 241 tribal authority sites over a period of 60 months from date of licensing.
2. Internet Governance Forum is a United Nations process that provides an open, multi-stakeholder and inclusive platform for dialogue and best practice sharing on public policy issues inherent to the governance, regulation and development of the Internet.
The global Internet Governance forum (IGF) has been in existence since 2006. The establishment of the IGF was one of the outcomes of the World Summit for the Information Society. The IGF's objective was to serve as a multi-stakeholder forum for engagement on Internet policy matters. It has no decision-making powers but serves as a platform for sharing ideas.
Pursuant to the WSIS outcomes on Internet Governance and in consultation with other stakeholders (public, private, civil society, academia, technical community etc) the National Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF) had its inaugural meeting in 2011. Since then, the Department and ZADNA in collaboration with multi-stakeholders has convened 8 IGFs in various parts of the country. The outcomes of the ZAIGF inform the development of South Africa’s positions on the various public policy internet issues. These positions are advocated at various international platforms such as Southern African IGF, African IGF and Global IGF respectively.
Thank You.