Question NW2960 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
08 September 2015 - NW2960
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What system protocols have been determined to ensure open access integration and data integrity with the national broadband network as envisaged in SA Connect, (b) how were the specified protocols determined, (c) which (i) state entities, (ii) private sector companies or (iii) individuals, were involved in drawing up the specified protocols and (d) who is responsible for ensuring the adherence, effective implementation and ongoing operation of the specified protocols?
Reply:
(a) The Department is undertaking work on Open Access within the broader scope of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. The white paper policy will determine, amongst other things, the appropriate policy and regulatory remedies for the management and regulation of the open access framework. Should the white paper process determine that there is a need to publish open access regulations, the system protocols will be outlined as part of the functional specification that is defined to implement the regulations.
(b) The protocols have not been defined yet but would be defined as part of the work related to the implementation of the open access regulation.
(c) See response above
(d) Oversight over the development and implementation of the functional specifications would fall within the ambit of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)