South Africa Connect, the national broadband policy and the associated strategy and plan, gives expression to South Africa’s vision in the National Development (NDP) of “a seamless information infrastructure by 2030 that will underpin a dynamic and connected vibrant information society and a knowledge economy that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous”. As envisaged in the NDP, at the core of this will be “a widespread communication system that will be universally accessible across the country at a cost and quality that meets the communication needs of the SA citizens, business and the public sector. It will pro-vide access to the creation and consumption of a wide range of converged applications and services re-quired for effective economic and social participation”. “This ecosystem of digital networks, services, ap-plications, content and devices, will be firmly integrated into the economic and social fabric of the country. Together, these broadband elements provide an enabling platform for economic enterprise, active citizen-ship and social
engagement and innovation. It will connect public administration to the active citizen; promote economic growth, development and competitiveness; drive the creation of decent work; underpin nation-building and strengthen social cohesion; and support local, national and regional integration.” (NDP 2012) Further, it operationalizes the NDP and the New Growth Path, which both identify the knowledge economy as one of the drivers of job creation. The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) launched Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15: Expanding Access to Communication Technology in 2012. It aims “to ensure universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services by all South Afri-cans, prioritising rural and under-serviced areas and stimulating economic growth”. Additionally, this poli-cy gives effect to the constitution of South Africa by creating the conditions in a modern electronic world “to improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person” and, in doing so, ena-bles equality in the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship, including the guarantees of freedom of expression and association in the Bill of Rights.
To guide the implementation of this policy the overall goal is to achieve a universal average download speed of 100 mbps by 2030. To reach this target in a progressive manner, reviewable targets have been set starting with an average user experience speed of 5 mbps to be reached by 2016 and available to 50% of the population and to 90% by 2020, with the quality of service monitored by ICASA. Targets are also set for schools and clinics and general public sector connectivity. The rapid evolution of broadband technology means that these targets will be monitored and evaluated on an on-going basis to determine if the tar-gets need to be reviewed.
(SOUTH AFRICA CONNECT: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, ENSURING INCLUSION South Africa’s Broadband Policy: 20 NOVEMBER 2013; Department of Communication)
This policy has provided small players in the industry like Malose Group to be recognized since the big players can no longer keep up with the demand in fulfilling the South African government’s envisaged tar-gets.