The Minister Of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-casaburi Budget Vote Speech

Thanks! Where'd u get this?

Or did you type it out yourself? If so, double thanks!
 
Key section:

This relates to the time-frame within which ICASA will ensure that, amongst others:
  • all arrangements regarding access to, or use of, international cables and/or facilities do not unfairly exclude others,
  • access to such cables and/or facilities is provided on a cost basis and
  • access is duly regulated as access to essential facilities as provided for in section 43 of the new Act.

I hereby declare that as a matter of policy all holders of licences that will qualify to be converted into individual electronic licences will have the ability to self provide with respect to their international traffic within six months of the promulgation of the ECA.
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We all know time estimates mean absolutely nothing to Ivy and her band of incompetents, but when is the ECA due to be "promulgated"? (which I suspect means signed into law)

If soon, we are looking at international-access-at-cost by the end of the year. IBIWISI
 
In order to give effect to this decision without delay, I hereby appoint Dr Tshilidzi Marwala to chair the Local Loop Unbundling Committee (LLUC) whose task will be to oversee the development and the implementation of our local loop unbundling process and to make appropriate recommendations.
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This guy was my lecturer for Automation and Control in university :eek: While Ivy is well known for being incompetent, Dr. Marwala is one of the top control engineers on the continent, so I'm pretty certain he knows what he's doing. The question is whether Ivy will listen, and if so when will she actually do anything.
 
has to be studied and understood within the context of the electronic communications act and the new licensing structure but in general disappointing and far too vague
 
I was dissapointed with the complete lack of time scale or date of implementation. Without it, the could be planing this for xx yrs from now.
 
Bets on the table - things will only happen in 2008.
 
I'm pretty happy with it, we gonna have our own broadband committee! Yay! Anyway, what were u guys expecting? The only thing lacking was a timeframe.
 
Mmm.. pretty happy with the general direction that her speach took - commitments to local loop unbundling, competitive access to sub-marine cables etc. Yep, not sufficient time-frames I agree - but the tide appears to have fundamentally turned, and that's a good thing.
 
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To this end the Authority is already rolling up its sleeves to embark on programmes to issue new licences for electronic communications networks and electronic communication services
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With rolled up sleeves, they won't get dirty from messy donuts
 
Lets see if this is just another diversion.... 6 months probably means 6 months african time... which would probably take us to 2011 or so...
 
I think the best we can do is to keep the pressure on the DoC to deliver on their promises. Regardless on timeframe, if we don't constantly remind them (or even the president, if it comes to that) then nothing will get done. The ICASA draft regulations wouldn't even be happening if they weren't reminded to do their jobs. They can't stall forever, not while this forum continues to grow :cool:
 
I wonder who wrote that speech? Can't be Ivy herself... :rolleyes:

And unfortunately, while it sounds good, I agree with the sentiment: IBIWISI!
 
telkomsuig said:
Lets see if this is just another diversion.... 6 months probably means 6 months African time... which would probably take us to 2011 or so...
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DOES SHE TALK IN EVOLUTIONARY TERMS? if not, as Mook says, it "looks" promising from the few quotes here. I did not read the article as I do not want to become optimistic like last year and then get disappointed again, which counts for the spate of negative, arrogant and argumentative attitude of my postings with total disregard, against the GVT and its supporters for what they are doing! If 6 months is the time when we will see action, maybe then I will tame my attitude again. Any bets?

Must say it does not sound like her, maybe it her 2nd in command!
 
ic said:
everyone that has a positive word to say about mere words without action from the DoC, or even words promising action at some unspecified point in time - slap yourself with a frozen fish & catch a wakeup!!!
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/me slaps himself with a frozen trout :)

ic, like most other people, I too would like to see more action. But I've been in this for the long haul (notice join date ;) ) - and believe me, 3 years ago we could only have dreamt of public government commitments anywhere close to what was contained in that speach.

Small steps, but they are in the right direction. I challenge you, or anyone else to find any clear government commitment - prior to 2003 - to cheap affordable broadband, linking it to economic growth objectives, local loop unbudling etc. Nope. Back then, things that appeared obvious to us were not even on the government radar screen. If anything, the TELKOM monopoly was still being protected, broadband was not on the parliamentary agenda, and telecoms role players other than TELKOM were completely side-lined.

In the bigger scheme of things... the tide has turned. Some random quotes below, which may appear obvious to us, but coming from a government minister in Parliament, to me is an indication that the tide has turned.

As a country we need to consider innovative and bold ways of increasing the rate of broadband penetration. This would include examining principles of open and non-discriminatory access to essential ICT infrastructure at national level.

increasing competition in the ICT sector is essential to increasing the competitiveness of South Africa’s economy.

I will .... issue a policy directive to the Authority regarding the time-frame within which it will enable all licencees of electronic communications networks to interconnect with Telkom’s last mile network.

I hereby appoint Dr Tshilidzi Marwala...whose task will be to oversee the development and the implementation of our local loop unbundling

The ICT sector has a critical role to play in achieving the goal of at least 6% growth as stated in the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative

We have prioritised the roll out of broadband infrastructure in the country

As a country we have to ensure that the broadband back-bone is robust enough to meet our socio-economic development, business as well as the science and research needs of our country.

we will ensure affordable access to international broadband infrastructure

as a matter of policy all holders of licences that will qualify to be converted into individual electronic licences will have the ability to self provide with respect to their international traffic... I have taken a policy decision to support open, non-discriminatory and affordable access to these networks

Ultimately though, I do agree that actions speak far louder than words. But let's not under-estimate the departure that has been made from the current status quo.
 
While I think there is a lot of wishy-washyness in the speech, particularly in relation to timeframes, there was a distinct note of enablement. And not a hint of protectionism. The objectives have been made clear. And they are shared by all of us.

Sure, the snowball isn't rolling down the slope just yet, but there is no longer a DoC holding it back.

There is nowhere for Telkom to hide in this speech. Their days of ripping off the SA consumer is now well and truly numbered.
 
Gc said:
There is nowhere for Telkom to hide in this speech. Their days of ripping off the SA consumer is now well and truly numbered.
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I really hope so Gatecrasher!
 
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