Question NW1285 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
23 May 2016 - NW1285
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1)Has the Universal Service Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) played any role in the planning of SA Connect; if not, (a) why not and (b) what role will USAASA play in the future planning and rollout of the programme; (2) (a) what is the estimated cost of (i) planning and (ii) rolling out (aa) Phase 1 and (bb) Phase 2 of SA Connect, (b) what is the detailed breakdown of how this funding will be spent in the (i) 2016-17, (ii) 2017-18 and (iii) 2018-19 financial years and (c) which budget allocation will the specified funds come from in each of the specified financial years?
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:-
1. No.
(a) The Department has engaged with USAASA to ensure alignment of the Broadband initiatives being funded through the USAF and SA Connect Phase 1 hence USAASA’s current and future plans are aligned with the SA Connect Phase 1 District Municipalities.
(b) The Department and USAASA will continue to engage to outline the agency roles on SA Connect implementation taking into consideration developments in the sector
2. (aa) (i)-(ii) The estimated cost for Phase1 of SA Connect is R6.56billion
(bb) (i) – (ii) The estimated cost for Phase2 of SA Connect is R67.4 billion
(b) (i)-(iii) Phase 1 detailed breakdown
|
Phase 1 Budget Allocation (Million) |
|||
|
2016/17 |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
Total |
|
R 516.34 |
R 719. 52 |
R 720. 37 |
R6.56 Billion |
(i)- (iii) Phase 2 detailed breakdown
|
Phase 2 Budget Allocation (Million) |
|||
|
2016/17 |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
Total |
|
R 823, 9 |
R 1, 557 |
R 2, 213 |
67.42 Billion |
(c) The funding for Phase 1 will come from Budget allocation MTEF 2016/-2018/19. No allocation for Phase 2