What is broadband?
The Department of Communications’ (DoC) National Broadband Colloquium kicks off today to afford the public an opportunity to provide input on the Draft Broadband Policy for South Africa. The Draft Broadband Policy was released in September, with the aim of increasing the accessibility and affordability of broadband throughout South Africa.
The colloquium, which takes place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, is chaired by the acting deputy director-general Themba Phiri, and will run until 19 November. Speakers include the Minister of Communications, Siphiwe Nyanda, Deputy Communications Minister Dina Pule and Director-General Mamodupi Mohlala.
Broadband policy needs work
In its current format the broadband policy is jam packed with high level ideals like stimulating the economy through broadband and giving all citizens the right to broadband, but it lacks a clear directive on how this will be achieved.
One of the biggest problems may prove to be the definition of broadband and affordability. At this stage there is no definition of affordability, and broadband is merely described as “an always available, multimedia capable connection”.
Various Internet connections are multimedia capable and always available, including GPRS and dial-up. These connections may not be always on, and streaming a multimedia file may take forever and a day, but basically all internet connections are ‘always available’ and are capable of carrying multimedia content. Using this definition most South African citizens already have extremely affordable broadband – for R2 per month you can access the Internet at any time you like through the cellular networks.
According to the DoC the term ‘Broadband’ is very hard to define quantitatively, and they highlighted this point by showing that the international definitions vary significantly and that definitions change as time progresses. Without proper broadband and affordability definitions – which should include minimum downlink and uplink speeds and a relative cost value – the DoC’s plan may turn out to be: “All citizens must get access to some form of connection at some price”.
Many international broadband policies clearly stipulate what broadband levels should be achieved – including downlink and uplink speeds, monthly usage limits and pricing – and include a well defined roadmap on how these levels will be achieved. The colloquium should ensure that the current broadband policy is refined to make certain that it has more value than many of the DoC’s previous initiatives.
What is broadband? – discussion
Loading ...