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OVER the years each successive South African communications minister has declared their intention to “overhaul” information and communications technology policies in order to achieve universal access to broadband for all – but so far these lofty declarations have come to naught.
Leading mobile operators insist that the local market is competitive and does not require extensive regulatory intervention.
This sentiment makes demands for such changes by other operators and like-minded commentators nauseating in the extreme. The reality is that South African consumers and not the operators bear the brunt of the country’s inept policy direction.
Consumers should be aware that the status quo favours the operators, which continue to benefit from high mobile broadband prices.
In order to prevent any possible consumer revolt, many operators continue to come up with broadband promotions that give an impression of being less expensive – the truth is that they are not.
Most South Africans access the internet on their cellular phones, which is costly and unaffordable for many.
New Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele offers no comfort in that regard. The much-publicised intention to deliver broadband for all remains a pipe dream.
Cwele has reiterated predecessors' statements that “government has long realised that access to broadband is important in the fight against unemployment and poverty”.
He recently said: “We expect to have a White Paper on Integrated ICT Policy by the end of this financial year, in March 2015. The department, working with the regulator, Icasa, will seek to resolve spectrum shortage for network capacity in the short to media term.”
The policy is meant to fast-track internet access, which has eluded many South Africans for years.
And while communications ministers may make similar promises, these never materialise – it’s unlikely that Cwele will deliver on his pledge.
No amount of policy reviews will be effective in the absence of concrete steps to change the status quo.
As it is, the delay in digital migration for broadcasters using the much-needed 800MHz frequency spectrum – required to fast-track internet access – stands in Cwele’s way.
New ministry a poisoned chalice
Furthermore, the establishment of the new ministry of communications led by Faith Muthambi seems to have been an unintentional poisoned chalice.
With broadcasting falling under Muthambi, this begs the question: who is in charge of freeing up the 800MHz spectrum?
In that regard, confusion appears likely between Cwele’s telecommunications and postal services ministry and Muthambi’s communications ministry.
In order for operators to offer cheaper broadband access, the country has to free the spectrum band.
That said, the road ahead seems rocky. For years, there has been a lack of political will to free this spectrum.
Without decisive action by the government to speed up internet access for all, the majority of South Africans will continue to be excluded from benefiting from such technology.
There is no doubt that all South Africans want and need broadband access now. They cannot afford to wait for South Africa Connect – the National Broadband Policy 2030 – to be implemented.
The reality is that technology advancement is not waiting for South Africa to bring its house in order.
Maybe it’s time for a “service delivery protest” to press for affordable broadband.
- Fin24
*Gugu Lourie is a former correspondent for Thomson Reuters, Business Report, Finweek magazine and Fin24 (writing a blog titled 'Googled'). He is the editor of techfinancials.co.za. Views expressed are his own. Follow him on #twitter @LourieGugu.
Leading mobile operators insist that the local market is competitive and does not require extensive regulatory intervention.
This sentiment makes demands for such changes by other operators and like-minded commentators nauseating in the extreme. The reality is that South African consumers and not the operators bear the brunt of the country’s inept policy direction.
Consumers should be aware that the status quo favours the operators, which continue to benefit from high mobile broadband prices.
In order to prevent any possible consumer revolt, many operators continue to come up with broadband promotions that give an impression of being less expensive – the truth is that they are not.
Most South Africans access the internet on their cellular phones, which is costly and unaffordable for many.
New Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele offers no comfort in that regard. The much-publicised intention to deliver broadband for all remains a pipe dream.
Cwele has reiterated predecessors' statements that “government has long realised that access to broadband is important in the fight against unemployment and poverty”.
He recently said: “We expect to have a White Paper on Integrated ICT Policy by the end of this financial year, in March 2015. The department, working with the regulator, Icasa, will seek to resolve spectrum shortage for network capacity in the short to media term.”
The policy is meant to fast-track internet access, which has eluded many South Africans for years.
And while communications ministers may make similar promises, these never materialise – it’s unlikely that Cwele will deliver on his pledge.
No amount of policy reviews will be effective in the absence of concrete steps to change the status quo.
As it is, the delay in digital migration for broadcasters using the much-needed 800MHz frequency spectrum – required to fast-track internet access – stands in Cwele’s way.
New ministry a poisoned chalice
Furthermore, the establishment of the new ministry of communications led by Faith Muthambi seems to have been an unintentional poisoned chalice.
With broadcasting falling under Muthambi, this begs the question: who is in charge of freeing up the 800MHz spectrum?
In that regard, confusion appears likely between Cwele’s telecommunications and postal services ministry and Muthambi’s communications ministry.
In order for operators to offer cheaper broadband access, the country has to free the spectrum band.
That said, the road ahead seems rocky. For years, there has been a lack of political will to free this spectrum.
Without decisive action by the government to speed up internet access for all, the majority of South Africans will continue to be excluded from benefiting from such technology.
There is no doubt that all South Africans want and need broadband access now. They cannot afford to wait for South Africa Connect – the National Broadband Policy 2030 – to be implemented.
The reality is that technology advancement is not waiting for South Africa to bring its house in order.
Maybe it’s time for a “service delivery protest” to press for affordable broadband.
- Fin24
*Gugu Lourie is a former correspondent for Thomson Reuters, Business Report, Finweek magazine and Fin24 (writing a blog titled 'Googled'). He is the editor of techfinancials.co.za. Views expressed are his own. Follow him on #twitter @LourieGugu.
