The Universal Services and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), is mandated through the Electronic Communications Act to provide qualifying needy persons with subsidies in order for them to actively participate in the Information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
As part of the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) Policy September 2008, and the SOS Rollout Framework (Scheme of Ownership Support of Set-Top-Box Rollout Framework, February 2012), USAASA, is required to manage the disbursement of Set-Top-Box (STB) Subsidies to poor TV-owning households located throughout the country.
To ensure that these subsidies are adequately distributed, USAASA, is required to firstly develop a criteria by which TV-owning households will qualify for subsidies and secondly to put in place infrastructure, systems and processes to manage the distribution of subsidies to qualifying households and ensure the acquisition of STBs by these households.
In compliance with the law, USAASA issued proposed qualifying criteria for public comments in October 2014 with the closing date being 30 November 2014. In keeping with the spirit for broader inclusion and public participation, USAASA has decided to extend this period to 28 February 2015.
Furthermore, USAASA will embark on a national roadshow between 22 January and 28 February 2015 for further engagements with interested parties on this project. Through this process, USAASA will meet various stakeholders including but not limited to Traditional Leadership, Local Government and Non-Governmental Organizations.
The copy of the proposed qualifying criteria can be accessed through USAASA website or the Government Gazette.
USAASA is committed in working closely with members of the public to push back the frontiers of poverty by facilitating access and services to ICT for all our people.
Enquiries:
Khulekani Ntshangase
Cell: 079 266 3323
