When 38% of all individuals over 16 living in households earning R20 000 per month have household broadband access as opposed to 37% of individuals with a household income of less than R2500 not having access to broadband, there is something wrong.
In similar vein, something is equally out of kilter when close to 75% of household broadband access is distributed between three provinces out of nine!
These are the ‘imbalances' that the SA government is trying to address through its draft broadband policy - currently under intense discussion at a national broadband colloquium at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg. The two-day colloquium ends today, 19 November 2009.
During the discussions yesterday, it became clear that access to infrastructure is a major problem for citizens living out of the urban areas of Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, where most of the infrastructure and points of distribution are largely concentrated.
Furthermore, the private sector, which has received rare praise from politicians for providing broadband services amid difficult conditions, has since been reluctant to invest in infrastructure in some areas, mostly rural, which it has adjudged ‘economically unproductive'.
There is also the question of pricing. For an estimated 40% of South Africans living below the poverty line, especially in rural communities and shantytowns where illiteracy levels are so high, broadband access costs an arm and a leg.
However, while deputy minister of communications Dina Pule said the broadband policy seeks to address current challenges and set the tone for the future, some delegates admitted that the policy seems ambiguous when it comes to issues related to context, definition of broadband and legislative framework.
Some even believe that by omitting to mention broadcasting and the consideration of the Competition Act for instance, the draft policy fails to highlight particular key aspects of relevant legislation pertaining to broadband - something they want amended as soon as possible.
The question that arises from the above reflection is that how do you begin to reinforce competition to ensure that the price comes down to push for greater affordability.
Regarding the definition of broadband, many suggested that the term ‘multimedia' be defined time to time and ‘expanded' to include, for example, voice and messaging. Required speed must also be clearly spelt out in the policy.
Apart from spectrum allocation and usage, other areas of policy's comments and discussions will include definition of market failure, targets to be set to measure implementation and success, composition and function of the broadband steering committee (what role will it play? Can the private sector be included?), development of local content, and the roles of the state and operators will have to be clarified.
Today's session will see another round of discussions, followed by a closing address to be delivered by Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.
The Department of Communications (DOC) said comments received at the colloquium will be incorporated into the draft broadband policy.
The next phase after comments consolidation would be cabinet submissions and approval.
For more information, visit www.doc.gov.za.
