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ICT research to be released

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:10

ForgeAhead is to provide an understanding of the main ICT directions, issues, challenges and successes in governments in the SADC region.

Minister of Communications Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, speaking in the National Assembly in May, said government had accepted the department’s strategic focus on building a robust, reliable and affordable information and communication technology infrastructure so as to increase the access, uptake and usage of ICTs.

The minister added that Cabinet had approved the strategic role of Sentech, a wireless broadband provider, in their role out of wireless technology especially in government institutions.

“International connectivity is critical in supporting our investment objectives. It is part of government policy to ensure that the cost of access to international connectivity is affordable,” said Ms Matsepe-Casaburri.

The protocol for the NEPAD ICT Broadband Network will be before Parliament for ratification in the near future, said the minister. The network advocates for inclusive access to essential infrastructure by all countries on the continent.

The minister said last year at the signing of the NEPAD ICT Broadband Policy and Regulatory Framework Protocol that the NEPAD-led initiative would build an affordable broadband network.

The cable will ensure that all African countries are connected to one another by the fibre optic broadband cable system which will in turn link them to the rest of the world through existing or planned sub-marine cable systems.

She added that the network would be operational by mid 2009.

At a workshop on the impact and convergence on ICT policy and regulation last week, the minister told delegates from the Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) that on a recent visit to the Republic of Korea, she witnessed the power of technology, especially broadband and the convenience it provides in regards of education, health, safety and security, transport and other social services.

“The experience showed me that with vision and political will all countries can emerge as model users of ICTs to address their social and economic needs.

At a recent meeting of SADC ministers responsible for communications, Ms Matsepe-Casaburri said stakeholders identified the need for an overarching regional convergence policy framework to enable broadband access opportunities such as home and away roaming, effective regulation of essential facilities including undersea cables, transition to the digital era and the uptake of innovations like Digital Media Broadcasting.

The minister believes achieving the African renaissance through the applications of ICTs is an emerging reality and is within reach.

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