So here we are! A further, but significant step towards finalising our long-overdue Broadband Policy and setting out key aspects of our strategy and plan. Obviously, not everything is there in the Policy, Strategy and Plan. We still have to take the draft that emerges from this workshop to Strategic Integrated Project 15 of the National Infrastructure Plan, and consult further with provincial governments and the South African Local Government Association, and with other Cabinet Ministers, and through the Cabinet process over the next few weeks.
And contrary to how it might appear in the public domain, all the Economic Cluster Ministers and indeed other Ministers and the President too – in fact government as a whole – all of us, are very keen to see the Broadband Policy be finalised. We all recognise how crucial it is to our economic growth, development and job-creation targets.
We are certainly clear! The rollout of broadband is integrally linked to the growth of a 21st century economy and ultimately to addressing one of our country’s pressing problems, the reduction of unemployment, especially amongst our youth. So your presence here today has broader implications than just the provision of broadband.
The National Development Plan (NDP), as you know, has set very clear goals of 100% Broadband Access by 2020. Before I forget: may I extend a warm welcome to the officials from Ugandan Ministry of ICT who have joined us today? I hope you’ll find this workshop of some use.
Government has prioritised broadband as the essential underpinning of economic and social activity. In fact, the implementation of this policy needs to take the form of a national project that we are calling South Africa Connect. The policy needs to create opportunities for economic growth, development and employment by ensuring economic, political and social inclusion in a digital world.
The policy seeks to operationalise the vision of the NDP which recognises that broadband is more than just infrastructure. At the core of the NDP vision for the ICT sector by 2030 is: a widespread broadband communication system ecosystem of digital networks, services, applications, content and devices, firmly integrated in the economic and social fabric of the country, which will connect public administration to the active citizen; promote economic growth, development and competitiveness; drive the creation of decent work; underpin nation-building and strengthen social cohesion; and support local, national and regional integration.
In developing the policy we have taken account of the submissions made to the draft gazetted earlier this year. We thank all of you who made submissions. The Director General of the Department of Communications will make a presentation on the key issues that emerged from the submissions and how they are being responded to.
The benefits of pervasive and affordable broadband are now well understood:
- Research suggests that a rise in broadband penetration is linked to economic growth and job creation.
- We know that broadband is increasingly regarded therefore as a strategic infrastructure and that the economic and social benefits (network effects) to be enjoyed requires a critical mass.
- Broadband is essential to meeting the needs of knowledge economies and information societies.
- It enables economic and social inclusion and can enhance democratic participation.
- It’s a key determinant of global competitiveness.
- There is also increasing evidence that broadband enables broadening of educational opportunities, enhanced public service delivery and rural development.
- All of this is dependent on affordable access to relevant and compelling content and applications and as a result various demand stimulation strategies are proposed.
- More equitable enjoyment of the benefits associated with broadband diffusion also requires major human development thrusts, both for users and producers.
In crafting the policy we have critically analysed the current status of Broadband and determined the gaps between the current status and the vision. This has allowed us to conceptualise a strategy that is rooted in our circumstance and that will hopefully take us forward.
The strategy is grounded in principles of:
- Openness.
- Service and technological neutrality.
- Universality.
- Inclusion.
- Competition.
- Efficiency.
- Transparency and accountability.
- Innovation.
- Future orientation.
The Broadband team has also studied the approaches of other countries to create a universally accessible and affordable broadband infrastructure and has crafted a strategy based on what seems to work well internationally while taking account of the local context.
Clearly, we need a massive effort to meet the national objectives of more affordable broadband access for all. Neither the state nor the private sector can do this alone. Reaching South Africa’s broadband ambitions has to be realised as a national project that galvanises the capabilities, resources and energies of public and private actors to realise a bold vision of a connected society in the spirit in which South Africa delivered the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Whilst the benefits of such a world class infrastructure are beyond challenge, implementing such a complicated and costly project will require a common roadmap that guides the actions of public and private sector players over a period of 10 to 20 years.
Yesterday we heard that Rwanda is aiming to rollout free citywide and eventually nationwide wireless connectivity. Other countries in Africa and the rest of the world are moving at speed. We too need to. So please engage actively with this draft policy and help us to get it right!
