Local govt structures set for broadband infrastructure
Two thirds of municipalities rely on ADSL or ISDN for connectivity, but 32% of local councils are looking to move to wireless technologies, according to Adrian Schofield, head of consulting at Forgeahead.
Schofield says local government is showing a stronger uptake of broadband services, using a combination of wired and wireless technologies to get satisfactory connectivity to the Internet.
Schofield adds that municipalities lack the resources to implement their own broadband networks, making the movement towards a local government-owned and -operated broadband network slower.
He says municipalities also had limited financial resources and budgets to put decent ICT systems in place, since the current systems need replacement.
"A third of municipalities have plans in place to implement their own wireless broadband network within the next year," says Schofield.
He says 65% of the municipalities surveyed indicate that wireless is their primary connectivity methodology, and that emerging wireless technologies, such as WiMax, will be used to create distinct networks.
Schofield says the trend is not that municipalities are embracing broadband, but that plans are in place to move away from implementing virtual private networks over ADSL.
"National and provincial government must provide better support to enable the creation and implementation of systems plans, sharing of resources and access to broadband networks. Generally the majority of municipalities lack the resources to make effective use of ICTs," he notes.
Schofield says a set of common (open) standards should be introduced for all core systems. "Municipal managers and political leaders need to be aware of the enabling potential of effective ICT implementation," says Schofield.
"The government must ensure that all municipalities have the relevant strategies and plans documented and signed off, preferably within a district co-ordinated framework. The government must also seek partnerships with the private sector to implement networks and integration of systems," says Schofield.
Schofield feels that the government must clarify the role of Sita as the procurement agent and strategic partner, and focus less on providing services, which should be done by the private sector.
"The cost of ICT access is too high for the majority of South Africans, as a result of poor legislation and regulation. Initiatives to provide access have been badly co-ordinated and are not sustainable. There must be a more holistic approach to realising the benefits of ICTs, as this cannot be left to the fragmented efforts of different departments and agencies," he notes.
"The government’s desire to control international connections through ownership of the cables is completely misplaced and totally unjustified. The only way to significantly reduce the cost of telecoms is to open up the market and create surplus capacity in private hands, and the service providers will reduce prices to increase volumes. As the cost decreases, so the use of the networks to provide services to citizens will become more affordable," concludes Schofield.
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