Related Articles
Top Stories
Feb 12 2012 15:59
Moral hazard, financial weapons of mass destruction, a huge mess - these were the words used by a founder member to sum up the collapse of the Pinnacle Point Group.
Feb 12 2012 15:58
Construction companies are now undertaking a second round of self-examination into uncompetitive behaviour.
Feb 12 2012 14:54
American billionaire George Soros has slammed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, warning that her policies could lead to a repeat of the Great Depression.
Johannesburg - A lawyer has called on the state to take more aggressive steps to roll out of internet access points to citizens.
Brendan Hughes said that the state has a constitutional duty to achieve the full and equal enjoyment of all constitutional rights, including the right to receive, impart or access information.
Hughes called for more extensive state support of current projects designed to make internet access points available at public libraries and post offices throughout SA.
"Constitutional rights of access, whether it be to food, water, healthcare, education or the right to access or impart information are not abstract rights but ones which the state must take reasonable measures within its available means to make available to all," he said.
He said increased investment into these sorts of initiatives will enhance a person's ability to educate themselves, find or create employment opportunities and make informed decisions about matters affecting them.
"Without access to information, people are not empowered to do that," he said.
Hughes has also called for a move away from conservative paternalism to a more liberal approach in the licensing of electronic communications network services.
He said that letting the market decide who dies, survives or thrives in internet access industries will be the most efficient way to achieve greater broadband penetration in South Africa and the social and economic benefits that it has been shown to bring.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is currently in the process of issuing individual electronic communications network service licences.
However, the process has been marred by legal challenges over the right of service providers to provide communications over their own wireless networks rather than having to lease the networks of existing telecommunications service providers like Telkom and Neotel.
In April this year, Altech Autopage Cellular, SA's largest independent mobile cellular service provider, launched a court application to stop Icasa from granting selected companies with individual licences.
Internet Solutions and Vox Telecom, who believe it is unnecessary to delay the issuing of their licences, are opposing the interdict application.
The court hearing is scheduled to take place from 29 to 31 July.
- Fin24.com