The Department of Communications (DoC) is hosting a National Broadband Colloquium to afford the public an opportunity to provide input on the Draft Broadband Policy for South Africa. The colloquium will take place on 18 and 19 November 2009 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.<\/p>\n
“The Minister of Communications, Siphiwe Nyanda, invites the public to participate in this National Colloquium on Broadband Policy. We encourage early registration for the event, as seats are limited,” the DoC said in a statement on its website.<\/p>\n
In September the DoC released its draft South African Broadband Policy aimed at increasing the accessibility and affordability of broadband throughout South Africa. <\/p>\n
In the document the DoC states that it aims to “facilitate the provisioning of affordable access to Broadband infrastructure to citizens, business and government and also stimulate the usage of Broadband services at national, provincial and municipal levels.” The DoC added that its key objectives are: ‘to build the information society’, ‘to increase affordability’and ‘to increase uptake and usage’.<\/p>\n
The DoC considers access, affordability, usage, the roles of each sector and the implementation as key priorities. The draft policy is clear that all citizens have a right to basic broadband while Government and Non-Government Organizations must have access to broadband.
For further information about the National Broadband Colloquium people can contact David Gouwe at 012-421-7205 or Petrus Khoza at 012-427-8057, or alternatively email the DoC at Broadband@doc.gov.za<\/a>. The event website can be found at http:\/\/www.doc.gov.za\/forum\/<\/a><\/p>\n