The Department of Communications will be hosting a National ICT Policy Colloquium on the 19 -20 April 2012, at Gallagher Estate. The aim of the colloquium is to start a process of reviewing all the government ICT policies that have been in existence since 1994. The colloquium will also be a platform for all role players to collectively develop policies that will build a world class and competitive ICT industry in South Africa which will create employment opportunities and increase access to ICT services as well as universal access and to boost the country’s technology capabilities, research, development and innovation.
The two day Colloquium boasts ten commissions chaired by ICT sector experts. These are:
- Policy and Regulation: Broadcasting
- Policy and Regulation: Information Technology
- Policy and Regulation: Telecommunications
- Policy and Regulation: The Postal Service and its potential in ICT
- Local Digital Content
- Digitising Government
- ICT Investment
- Human Capital
- Manufacturing
- Convergence based ICT Solutions and Services
“It is the first time that the Department is having a policy review of this magnitude since 1994, when the South African government adopted White Papers on Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Postal Policies in South Africa,” said Ms Dina Pule, Minister of Communications.
These policies were given effect by the passing of the Telecommunications Act in 1996, Postal Services Act in 1998, and the Broadcasting Act of 1999. Government enacted the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act in 2002.“This forum will enable us to converse about how we can develop ICT policies that will benefit South Africa for the next 20 years,” said Minister Pule. The recommendations and decisions that will come out of this Colloquium will form a key component into the policy and development process for an integrated National ICT Policy.
