The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) today launched an intergovernmental forum to spearhead the infrastructure projects within Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15: Expanding Access to Communication Technology.
Led by the Department of Communications and supported by the Department of Public Enterprises and Department of Science and Technology, SIP 15 aims to ensure universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services by all South Africans, prioritising rural and under-serviced areas and stimulating economic growth. This includes migration nationally, from analogue to digital television broadcasting by 2015.
SIP 15 is part of the PICC, a Presidency-led initiative to co-ordinate infrastructure projects (construction, fast-tracking of current projects and maintenance of existing infrastructure) across all spheres of government and state-owned enterprises.
Expanding access to communication technology will be done primarily through broadband infrastructure roll-out. To this end, a national backbone infrastructure will be established which will inter alia include establishing core Points of Presence (POPs) in district municipalities, extending fibre networks across provinces linking districts and, rural and under-served areas.
The coordination and integration of communications infrastructure activities within state-owned enterprises, private entities, provinces and local government will be critical in ensuring this is achieved.
It is expected that the private sector and state owned enterprises will play a significant role in expanding Access to Communication Technology. Connectivity to rural and under-serviced areas including e-health, e-schools and e-government will be prioritised. By 2013, broadband connectivity will be rolled out in 125 Dinaledi schools, plus 1525 district schools.
Other members of the Intergovernmental Forum are:
- Department of Public Enterprises
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Public Service and Administration
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Sentech
- Broadband Infraco
- Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)
The Minister of Communications, Ms Dina Pule, as the Champion for SIP 15, will provide to the PICC Management Committee and Council, regular feedback on progress made in carrying out the work of SIP 15.
Enquiries:
Department of Communications
Siya Qoza
Cell: 082 898 1657
Pearl Seopela
Cell: 082 906 1404
Department of Public Enterprises
MayihlomeTshwete
Cell: 072 869 2477
Department of Science and Technology
Nthabiseng Maoela
Cell: 082 944 0015
Department of Economic Development
Ayanda Shezi
Cell: 082 445 0009
