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Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Photo: Jacques Nelles, The Citizen
NATIONAL NEWS - Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has announced that R27 billion has been pledged by operators and vendors to usher in 5G fibre technologies in South Africa.
The Minister said this when she tabled the department’s budget vote during a mini plenary of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
“We believe that partnerships and collaborations are key to taking our sector to greater heights.
“I am therefore pleased to announce that R27 billion is being pledged collectively by the operators and vendors to expand the 4G network, and to deploy the 5G and fibre technologies in South Africa, which has been tested by some operators,” she said.
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.