cohen

Development, Universal Access and Governance in South Africa: 

Development, Universal Access and Governance in South Africa CPSR Symposium: One Planet, One Net - The Public Interest in Internet Governance Boston, 10th - 11th October 1998. Tracy Cohen, Part-time lecturer Telecommunications Law, Wits Law School Assistant to Council, SATRA The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of SATRA, its Council or any of its employees. The views expressed in this presentation are mine and do not necessarily represent the views of SATRA, its Council or any of its employees.

Areas of focus: 

Areas of focus Context and Vitals Definitions: Universal Service v. Universal Access Universal Access in South Africa Poverty Telecommunications Teledensity Internet Penetration on the Continent Governance Policy and Legislation Role of the Regulator Issues

South Africa: 

South Africa

Definitions - Dedicated service v. reasonable access: 

Definitions - Dedicated service v. reasonable access Universal Service 3 Components - Availability, Affordability, Accessibility -ITU “affordable, access to basic voice telephony or its equivalent for all those reasonably requesting it, regardless of where they live.” - Oftel Universal Access all of the above, BUT communal and within a reasonable distance Definition depends on the nature of the market Definition informed by technical, social, political considerations e.g. RDP

Universal Access in South Africa: 

Universal Access in South Africa Poverty 36% of all households below the HSL HSL = R1050/month ($180) Poorest 20% hh (27% pop) <3% total income Richest 20% hh (3% pop) >65% total income Telecommunications Teledensity 2.8 million residential lines 1.5 million business lines 28 000 farm lines 90 000 Public Pay Phones National average = 9 Richer areas = 50 Poorer areas = 0.001

The Phone Gap: 

The Phone Gap

In Summary: 

In Summary 8.7 million households in SA 2.8 million have telephones 55% of the 2.8 million are in white households 5.9 million households have no phones 2.1 million households have NO ACCESS to a telephone within 5km’s of their home

SA - ISP Industry Structure: 

SA - ISP Industry Structure

Internet in Africa  Source: Mike Jensen, AISI: 

Internet in Africa Source: Mike Jensen, AISI

Cost Comparative Source: Mike Jensen, AISI: 

Cost Comparative Source: Mike Jensen, AISI

The role of Governance in delivering Universal Access in SA : 

The role of Governance in delivering Universal Access in SA Universal access requires regulation aimed at balancing economic growth and social/policy objectives History, Policy and legislation - Telecommunications Act No. 103 of 1996 State institutions supporting universal access SATRA The public interest - Telkom v Internet Service Providers Association, 1997 The Universal Service Agency Lifespan - 5 years Universal Service Fund - Section 59 Administered by the USA subject to the control of SATRA Department of Communications Multimedia Projects/ Public Access Projects

A nation’s wealth is correlated with its telecom infrastructure Source: Formus SA: 

A nation’s wealth is correlated with its telecom infrastructure Source: Formus SA

Issues: 

Issues Infrastructure Sub-Saharan Africa teledensity - <1 in 200 Analogue, unreliable network, urban concentration Affordability and Costs Services - basic or advanced Sustainability Social Economic Infrastructural Priorities Literacy and Language Hegemony Software solutions

Conclusion: 

Conclusion Regime is irrelevant - other factors are the determinants. Socially positive role and purpose of regulation: State has a role in ensuring universal access (more so under the exclusivity model?) USF Ceiling of R20 Million/year must be raised - post exclusivity Public/private sector partnerships will be vital to success International and regional co-operation is crucial Degree of success correlates proportionately to degree of sufficient political will, systematic planning and co-ordination

Contact Details: 

Contact Details E-mail: Cohet@satra.gov.za Post: SATRA, Private Bag X1, Marlboro, Sandton, 2063, South Africa Tel: 27-11-321-8384

Useful Sites : 

Useful Sites http://www.satra.org.za/ http://www3.wn.apc.org/africa/mj.htm http://www.sangonet.org.za/ http://wn.apc.org/technology/ http://demiurge.wn.apc.org/africa/projects.htm http://www.doc.org.za/ http://www.telecom98.co.za/ http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/AS.html

Snapshot - SA Industry Structure: 

Snapshot - SA Industry Structure

Governance = Regulation?: 

Governance = Regulation? Fact: Government involvement in the creation and extension of services Regulation aims to achieve: the delivery of basic services acceptable ranges and quality of services fair competition facilitate economic growth and global competitiveness Regulation is aimed at balancing economic growth and social/policy objectives Universal Access requires regulation

24 Months Ago…: 

24 Months Ago…

Africa - Continental Connectivity Indicators - Source: Mike Jensen, AISI: 

Africa - Continental Connectivity Indicators - Source: Mike Jensen, AISI 46/54 Countries and territories in Africa have Internet access in the Capital cities 6 Countries have plans for full Internet access in the capital cities 2 Countries remain without plans for full Internet access 7 Countries have only one full public access ISP after 12 months 11 Countries have local ISPs or POPs in some secondary towns 10 Countries have local dial-up Internet access nationwide

Comparatively Speaking… Source: Mike Jensen, AISI: 

Comparatively Speaking… Source: Mike Jensen, AISI