Question NW683 to the Minister of Communications
24 May 2016 - NW683
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications
(1)(a) Which set-top box providers have been involved in the production of set top boxes (STBs) to the (i) Northern Cape and (ii) Free State up until 29 February 2016, (b) how many STBs has each company provided in each case? and (c) what amount has each company been paid up until the specified date for services rendered; (2) whether all of the STBs produced by the specified companies are Direct-to-Home STBs; if not, how many of the STBs produced are Digital Terrestrial Television STBs?
Reply:
(1) (a) Universal Service and Aceess Agency of South Africa (USAASA), has informed me that it has appointed three companies (BUA Africa, CZ Electronics and Leratadima) to produce and supply set-top boxes to the South African Post Offices accross the country, including the Northern Cape and the Free State.
(b) USAASA informed me that the companies provided STBs as follows:
(i) Northern Cape: BUA Africa provided 3,506 STBs; CZ Electronics provided 27,000 STBs; and Leratadima provided 150 STBs.
(ii) Free State: BUA Africa provided 1,400 STBs; CZ Electronics provided 16,000 STBs; and Leratadima provided 00 STBs.
(c) USAASA further informed me that BUA Africa did not receive any payments as their invoices came in late. Leratadima and CZ Electronics were paid R680,934.34 and R35,841,674.00 respectively.
(2) According to the Agency, not all produced STBs are Digital Terrestrial Television: 3,506 are DTH STBs and 27,150 are DTT STBs.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE