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Cape Town - Cabinet's approval last week of the National Integrated Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policy White Paper marks the latest milestone in a journey towards using technology to build “a seamless information infrastructure by 2030, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services said in a statement issued on Sunday.
In its view the White Paper will underpin a dynamic and connected vibrant information society and a knowledge economy that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous” as envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP).
It describes the White Paper as an integrated and holistic policy that covers the ICT and postal sectors and sets out the framework of how government wants to provide access to modern communications infrastructure and services to facilitate the entry of new players and meaningful participation of all citizens, including those in rural areas.
"We shall continue to consult as we establish or amend laws that will give effect to the White Paper," said the department.
"This national ICT policy creates an ecosystem that helps to identify areas where there are ICT infrastructure and service gaps, the reasons for the gaps, direct government and private sector investment into these areas and measure the progress we are making in closing the digital divide."
The policy takes into account the development in the ICT sector and the impact on society in the last 20 years.
In the department's view, the White Paper brings certainty in the market – a key ingredient as the South African government seeks to use ICT to facilitate faster shared economic growth, improve service delivery and radically transform society.
"The policies contained in the White Paper should guide us for up to 10 years," said the department. The policy creates a baseline measure of local ICT statistic that will reduce reliance on international studies.
READ: Cabinet finally approves SA ICT policy
The policy proposes a national Digital Transformation Committee to drive and coordinate digital transformation across government. It also promotes coordination across society and reaffirms the importance of the national ICT forum as a coordinating platform across the various economic and social sectors.
Universal service and access policies are aimed at ensuring that all South Africans have access to ICT services that includes communications platforms, networks, services and content, said the department. It said achieving this will require both competitive private sector investment and appropriate relevant targeted public intervention to address market failure.
The Universal Service and Access Fund will be replaced by the Digital Development Fund, which will focus on the extension of infrastructure, end user and equipment subsidies, supporting digital literacy and skill development, funding to extend access to digital government services, and support for innovative use by SMMEs of ICTs to improve productivity, sustainability and competitiveness.
The White Paper also recognises the role that robust and fair competition can have in facilitating universal service and access and to limiting the digital divide through addressing market inefficiencies, promoting investment in the ICT sector and facilitating innovation. The policy sets out a framework for cooperation with other regulators like the Competition Commission.
The policy retains the principles of convergence and technological neutrality to ensure consistent regulation of all networks irrespective of the type of services they carry or whether they are owned and operated by telecommunications, broadcasting or other services.
The White Paper envisages two forms of regulators. One will be focusing on regulation of telecommunications and postal networks and services and the other focusing on content and audio visual services. The policy proposes that a new economic regulator of ICTs be established.
READ: Slow advances towards new SA ICT policy
This White Paper also reviews the policy framework for maintaining the open internet to maximise the possibilities offered by internet. It also includes approaches to governance of the internet at an international and national level and policies on managing and administering the internet in line with the vision set in the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
"The White Paper introduces policy frameworks to transform South Africa to an inclusive digital society where all South Africans can safely access and create affordable and relevant digital content and services in the languages of their choice," said the department.
As for the postal sector, the policy integrates the Post Office into the way citizens access government services, including through using digital services. In this regard, the Post Office will be the first point of presence for access to digital government services.
"Regulation and governance of the ICT sector is currently spread across different entities. This has resulted in overlaps and duplication of roles and a lack of coordination between different entities. In this regard the policy outlines the different roles and mandates of the various actors. All policy making functions will be consolidated and assigned to government," said the department.
"All regulatory responsibilities will be assigned to the regulator. This regulator will oversee and promote internet governance, licensing and regulation of networks, services, spectrum and other scarce ICT-related resources, to achieve the objectives set in policy and law."
The department regards the White Paper as containing policies that will improve access to modern communications and postal infrastructure and services for all, improve the ability of all citizens to meaningfully participate in the digital economy and simplify the regulatory regime to foster competition and make it easier to comply.
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