Question NW2382 to the Minister of Communications
08 September 2017 - NW2382
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Communications
(a) What is the mandate of the Digital Terrestrial Television Advisory Panel, (b) what are the (i) names and (ii) professional designations of the (aa) members who serve on the panel and (bb) chairperson of the panel, (c) what role does each of the panel members play in the Information and Communications Technology sector, (d) what are the deliverables of the panel and (e) what are the deadlines for the deliverables?
Reply:
a) The role of the Digital Migration Advisory Council (DMAC) is to support the department in a non-discriminatory approach in order to enable an expedited rollout of STBs in all provinces of South Africa. The DMAC’s role is limited to providing an advisory role and to execute its work through the established Digital Migration Project Management Office at the Department of Communications.
b) The DMAC’s final composition and structure are still being finalised. The DMAC will be chaired by a representative from the Ministry or Department of Communications, who is appointed by the Minister of Communications. DMAC comprises representatives from government, State Owned Entities (SOEs) and private sector participants from the broadcasting and telecommunications industries (‘telcos”). The participants are as per the table below:
SECTOR |
ORGANIZATION |
Government |
Department of Communications (Head) |
Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services |
|
Department of Trade and Industry |
|
Department of Science and Technology |
|
Department of Economic Development |
|
SOEs |
USAASA |
ICASA |
|
SAPO |
|
Sentech |
|
Broadcasters |
SABC |
e.tv |
|
Multichoice |
|
StarSat |
|
Telco Operators |
Telkom |
Cell C |
|
Vodacom |
|
Liquid Telecom |
|
MTN |
|
Rain (WBS) |
c) The expected deliverables are:
- Collaborating with the department to raise awareness and educate the public on Digital Migration and the rollout process, leveraging on the digital platforms from the participants’ industry operations (mobile networks and broadcast platforms);
- Facilitating the extension of material support in terms of STB rollout and seconding personnel to participate in the Digital Migration Project Management Office;
- Assist with strategies and to provide on the ground support to migrate citizens that do not qualify for the government subsidy;
- For participating broadcasters (commercial and free-to-air) to advise on strategies to provide and share attractive content across all the digital platforms in order to encourage viewer uptake;
- Provide support to the department’s Digital Migration Project Management Office.
d) December 2018.