celebrates the World Telecoms Day
15 May 2007
17 May is the World Telecommunications Day. It is an International
Telecommunications Union event to celebrate challenges and milestones in the
communications industry. The day is observed annually, and each country
determines themes for each year. Icasa, a regulatory authority for
telecommunications in South Africa, will observe and celebrate the World
Telecoms Day through participating in industry exhibitions (Futerex) currently
taking place in Sandton and conducting media interviews about the challenges
and milestones regarding communications in South Africa.
On the occasion of the World Telecommunications Day 17 May 2007, Icasa would
like to re-assure all operators and stakeholders of its readiness to implement
the Electronic Communications Act by:
* converting all existing licences into either individual or class licences
that could be issued to provide electronic communication services, electronic
communication network services, broadcasting services and radio frequency
* reviewing all existing regulations in line with the new licensing
framework.
In order to execute the tasks outlined above, the Independent
Communications
Authority Amendment Act (2005) has increased the number of Council positions
from seven to nine. Based on the new regulatory framework as outlined in the
Electronic Communications Act (EC Act) and the increased compliment of Council,
Icasa has allocated and assigned specific portfolios to each councillor as
follows:
Research and Policy Development Councillor, Robert Nkuna
Legal Services Councillor, Jacobus van Rooyen
Licensing (Converged Telecoms), Councillor Marcia Socikwa
Consumer Affairs Councillor, Brenda Ntombela
Markets and Competition, Councillor Tracy Cohen
Consumer Affairs, Councillor Zolisa Masiza
Engineering and Technology, Councillor Mthobeli Zokwe
Complaints and Compliance Temporarily assigned to Councillor Jacobus van
Rooyen
With the allocation of portfolios to respective councillors, the work of
Council is thus streamlined, and better aligned to meet not only statutory
requirements but to devote more attention to meeting the needs of licensees,
consumers and the broader public in terms of:
* lowering the costs of communications in South Africa
* promoting competition in communications
* promoting universal service and access
* stimulating economic growth and job creation.
Enquiries:
S Sekgoela
Tel: 011 321 8434
E-mail: ssekgoela@icasa.org.za
Issued by: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
15 May 2007
Source: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (http://www.icasa.org.za)
