May 19, 2021
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies says it aims to fast-track the broadcasting digital migration and release spectrum in the current year, amd.
Presenting the department’s R3,7-billion budget, Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says these are among seven key deliverable goals.
The others are: Re-Industrialisation of the economy with a focus on SMMEs; A digital economy masterplan and its implementation; Digital and future skills; Repurposing of state-owned companies (SOCs)
In terms of broadcasting digital migration, the analogue switch-off (ASO) has started in the Free State, Northern Cape and Northwest, and is starting to release the “digital dividend” spectrum in the 700MHz and 800Mhz bands.
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The Department of Communications has finalised a Digital Economy Masterplan that could see an economic contribution upwards of 4.5% of GDP per annum, the creation of one million jobs over the next ten years, and create massive opportunities for SMMEs .
It further set a goal of one million jobs in the next decade.
But, said Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, ongoing delays in finalising the spectrum auction are a stumbling block.
Legal challenges to the spectrum auction and licensing of Wireless Open Access Network (WOAN) could leave the SA economy even worse off instead of recovering, Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has said.
Government ready to expand 5G and fibre to all South Africans, minister says 18 May 2021 - 20:02
Communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on Tuesday announced that R27bn had been pledged collectively by operators and vendors to expand the 4G network and to deploy 5G and fibre in SA.
“This network expansion is extending to rural and underserved areas, which will benefit communities and create jobs. As such, I hope that the licensing of the Wireless Open Access Network and the High-Demand Spectrum will complement these rollout plans,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Speaking during the tabling of her R3.7bn budget vote for the 2021/2022 financial year, the minister said the government envisaged connecting 80% of public buildings by 2024.
High Court orders suspension of spectrum auction
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has noted the judgment handed down by the High Court on the auctioning of spectrum.
The High Court in Pretoria on Monday ordered the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to halt the planned auction of radio frequency spectrum licences, pending a hearing of contentions raised by broadcaster e.tv and Telkom.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ndabeni-Abrahams said the ministry remains open to mediation for the parties involved in order to find a common solution through alternative dispute resolution outside of the court process.
Strong growth for Vodacom fibre
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Vodacom has published its trading update for the quarter ended 31 December 2020, showing strong growth in its fibre business.
Group service revenue increased by 4.2% over the period, with South African service revenue increasing by 5.4%.
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub noted that just under half of the company’s international customer base – almost 16 million people – now use its M-Pesa platform.
“Revenues from M-Pesa increased 10.1%, largely the result of a 7.7% increase in customers, with almost 16 million people – or just under half of our International customer base – now making use of our M-Pesa platform. Including Safaricom, monthly M-Pesa transactions were $24.2 billion, up 57.8% year-on-year,” Joosub said.