[17 November 2017]
The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, which plays a significant role in implementing the White Paper, was made available for public feedback on 17 November 2017.
[21 October 2017]
On 10 October 2017, the Minister and the Department outlined their plans to introduce legislation into Parliament to advance certain aspects of the ICT Policy White Paper.
[10 October 2017]
The CSIR’s report on the spectrum requirements for the WOAN was submitted to the Minister, who has reviewed it and requested adjustments to address the future needs of the WOAN.
[19 July 2017]
On 10 July 2017, the CSIR conducted a “Capacity Determination Workshop.” The session included a presentation by CSIR detailing high-level requirements from operators for modeling WOAN capacity and spectrum, alongside inputs from the South African Communications Forum and the Black IT Forum.
CSIR presentation on WOAN capacity requirements workshop
[13 July 2017]
The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services has commissioned the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct a study into the radio frequency spectrum allocations needed to develop a wireless open access network (WOAN) in South Africa.
[10 June 2017]
The report titled “Report of the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services on its deliberations on Budget Vote 32: Telecommunications and Postal Services, and its Entities, Dated 16 May 2017” highlights a phased approach for implementing the White Paper, with priority given to drafting specific Bills such as those necessary for:
- The Digital Development Fund,
- The ICT Economic Regulator, and
- Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act.
The Department plans to have drafts ready for socio-economic impact assessments and public consultations by the end of March 2018.
[1 March 2017]
The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has released the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Study related to the White Paper, dated 26 February 2016.
SEIAS_ICT Policy Review_Inputs2dtps_26_02_2016_Final
[17 January 2017]
The scheduled engagement has been canceled due to the unavailability of the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Director-General on the proposed dates.
[9 December 2016]
A two-day engagement with the industry will be hosted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services on 27-28 January 2017. The goal is to provide the Committee with a comprehensive understanding of the issues highlighted by the Department in the White Paper.
9.1 Open Access
9.2 Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy
[1 November 2016]
A presentation by the Acting Director-General of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services was delivered on 1 November 2016, outlining the key elements and rationale behind the White Paper.
Joe Mjwara National ICT White Paper Conference
[3 October 2016]
The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services released the Cabinet-approved National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper on 3 October 2016. This document will guide the development of the electronic communications sector for the next 10-15 years.
National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper
Key Points to Consider:
- The White Paper outlines future directions but does not immediately change existing laws; it provides a framework for optimizing the use of current legislation.
- It includes policy directives to ICASA, urging it to begin relevant processes following the White Paper’s publication.
- To enforce the policy, existing laws will be reviewed and possibly revised or replaced, for instance, by establishing a new economic regulator to take over ICASA’s role. This requires repealing the ICASA Act and passing a new law, a complex and lengthy procedure that offers opportunities to shape policy implementation.
- Once legislative changes are made, the new regulator will need to align the regulatory framework with the updated laws.
- The majority of the White Paper’s content rehashes older, unimplemented policies, including much of the rapid deployment and radio frequency spectrum policies.
- Critically, the White Paper lacks concrete steps to empower the Department and the regulator to lead policy implementation effectively, leaving open the risk of repeating past implementation challenges. Numerous immediate or short-term demands are placed on ICASA.
- A separate process is underway for broadcasting and content policy by the Department of Communications. Although the White Paper justifies this separation, it raises concerns in a converging media environment, creating potential confusion about the interplay between broadcasting and electronic communications.
- The delayed finalization of the White Paper has stalled several important initiatives, which may now proceed. However, expectations should remain cautious as progress still relies on the same institutional frameworks that have previously failed to deliver substantial outcomes.