Response to the picket by Right 2 Know KZN
The Government welcomes the interaction with civil society, including through groups such as the Right 2 Know KZN, on critical issues that include access and costs of Information and Communication Technologies services.
The latest engagement took place in Kwazulu-Natal earlier today when the Right 2 Know KZN picketed during the SADC Communications and ICT Ministers Meeting. The meeting will end on 07 September 2017. The theme for the meeting is “Preparing SADC for the Fourth Industrial Revolution through ICTs”.
Earlier today, the Department received a memorandum from the Right 2 Know KZN wherein they are calling for lowering of communication costs in the region and for the expansion of modern communications infrastructure to rural areas.
"This is a platform where we discuss critical issues including the area of cost to communicate. We therefore welcome the contents of the memorandum. The contents include things we simply can't ignore. The department together with the regulator are attending to the matters including the reduction of cost to communicate. At the end of this summit we will communicate the outcomes of the deliberations" said Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services.
The SADC Communications and ICT Ministers Meeting is discussing matters that include:
- SADC Home and Away Roaming Project;
- Operationalisation of SADC N/RIXPs and development of a Regional Interconnection policy framework;
- SADC Roadmap on Digital Broadcasting Migration beyond 2015;
- Development of National Broadband Plans and Implementation of Targets;
- Roll-out of Broadband Infrastructure, SADC Regional and National Integrated Broadband Infrastructure;
- Development of a SADC Shared Satellite System;
- Status update on the SADC Model Framework on Harmonised Postal Reforms;
- Digital and Postal Financial Inclusion
Follow the SADC ICT Ministerial meeting information and conversation on;
@DtpsZA
@DeptDoc
@GCISMedia
@SAGov
@SANews
Enquiries: Siya Qoza
Cell: 0828981677
Mish Molakeng
Cell: 0824693997
