Spectrum proposals: the ANC's take

[QuintonB]

Owning the spectrum

The ANC’s policy discussion document on communications contains proposals that could result in the rationalising of state institutions

 

[Synaesthesia]

Well, the state institutions should work together, and maximizing the spectrum is a noble goal.

 

[ads]

Reposting, but seems particularly relevant here...

So, in order to improve service delivery, the government creates a state-owned enterprise that builds a new, high-speed network that everyone can use, and they then charge users a fair price simply to recover the costs.

You guessed it, I'm not talking about Broadband Infraco and Sentech at all, but about SANRAL's Gauteng e-toll road network. But of course, the similarities are startling and accurate.

Those "rich people" lucky enough to live next to the "tracks" will benefit from the private sector fibre "Gautrain" in the metros, and the poor will once again bear the cost of short-sighted government policy. I wonder if anyone's explained it to COSATU yet...

 

[eltherza]

I for one welcome he governments focus on broadband in 2012. Maybe the world will end this year after all.

 

[Hummercellc]

100% broadband by 2030, WTF, give the money to Cell C & Mweb, look how quickly Cell C's 3G coverage is expanding! then we might have 100% coverage by 2016....

 

[dominic]

we are committed to broadband in the rural areas
we have no idea what has happened to the R2 billion+ in the universal service and access fund (other than it has not been applied to broadband in rural areas)

hard to take seriously....

 

[Bern]

we are committed to broadband in the rural areas
we have no idea what has happened to the R2 billion+ in the universal service and access fund (other than it has not been applied to broadband in rural areas)

hard to take seriously....

+1

Also why create a NEW ICT university, there is an article written by Jonathan Jansen explaining why this would be a stupid thing to to, rather just invest more funding in to our existing unis and colleges. Maybe fund ICT training at the FETs for starters...

 

[MickeyD]

we are committed to broadband in the rural areas
we have no idea what has happened to the R2 billion+ in the universal service and access fund (other than it has not been applied to broadband in rural areas)

hard to take seriously....

I've raised the USAF issue a few times already. Saw somewhere that they want to pillage the fund to subsidise STB's for the digital TV migration.

 

[Wimbo]

It would be good if the article actually gave the source document. Here is is:

http://www.anc.org.za/docs/discus/2012/communication.pdf

Actually, it would be good if MyBB got into the habit of giving their references

 

[Wimbo]

I've raised the USAF issue a few times already. Saw somewhere that they want to pillage the fund to subsidise STB's for the digital TV migration.

Indeed. This is ill-conceived.

1 The amount in the USAF is about R1.5bn, but to subsidise the estimated 5m STBs at R700 each will cost R3.5bn
2 The funds in the USAF were almost entirely provided by telecommunications licensees, who will most likely object vociferously (read: go to court) if these funds are used to subsidise the customers of broadcasters
3 Let's not even open the discussing of the foolishness of subsidising a product at R700 that is currently available on the market at ~R200
4 Don't get me started on the concept of "local manufacture" (assembly, really) of 5,000,000 devices in what was going to be 18 months, and then ... nothing. Open factory, produce stuff, close factory. Complain.

It makes more sense to abolish the concept of a "TV Licence" - something that very few of the target population for subsidised STBs have anyway. Indeed, the proposed subsidy on the STB = two year's licence fees. The SABC is in any case a thinly disguised commercial broadcaster, despite their statutory mandate as a "public broadcaster".

 

[MickeyD]

Indeed. This is ill-conceived.

1 The amount in the USAF is about R1.5bn, but to subsidise the estimated 5m STBs at R700 each will cost R3.5bn
2 The funds in the USAF were almost entirely provided by telecommunications licensees, who will most likely object vociferously (read: go to court) if these funds are used to subsidise the customers of broadcasters
3 Let's not even open the discussing of the foolishness of subsidising a product at R700 that is currently available on the market at ~R200
4 Don't get me started on the concept of "local manufacture" (assembly, really) of 5,000,000 devices in what was going to be 18 months, and then ... nothing. Open factory, produce stuff, close factory. Complain.

It makes more sense to abolish the concept of a "TV Licence" - something that very few of the target population for subsidised STBs have anyway. Indeed, the proposed subsidy on the STB = two year's licence fees. The SABC is in any case a thinly disguised commercial broadcaster, despite their statutory mandate as a "public broadcaster".

I fully agree agree with you.

I can see no real purpose for the locally manufactured R700 STB.

And don't forget about the Dishes and Installation contracts....

 

[Bern]

I fully agree agree with you.

I can see no real purpose for the locally manufactured R700 STB.

And don't forget about the Dishes and Installation contracts....

Dishes? i thought they use a normal antenna??

Agree on the local manufacture with all of you - especially when "manufacture" means local assembly only - no future skills value.

I find it quite funny that a state requirement to provide a broadcasting service for information means buying a whole bunch of foreign shows and sport which then requires a TV license. Surely it should be focussed on local (or at least African) content? It would also make sense that it comes out of the normal tax mechanism as well since the individual license is a disincentive to people for a public good service. Let people get premium content via subscriptions, not tax money (or public TV license fees).