Speaking in his annual State of the Nation Address, President Mbeki said that information and communications technology is a critical priority to South Africa, both as a facilitator and a sector in its own right.<\/p>\n
Mbeki said that government will ‘this year complete the licensing and operationalisation of Infraco.’ <\/p>\n
Mbeki further said that Sentech will become a wireless Internet wholesaler and that the process of launching undersea cables will be completed.<\/p>\n
“Already, money has been allocated for Sentech to become a wireless internet wholesaler as well as finance its digitisation. Working with other governments on the continent and the private sector, we will complete the process to launch the undersea cables,” said Mbeki.<\/p>\n
Digital broadcasting is another area which was mentioned by Mbeki. “At the same time, we aim to provide digital broadcasting to 50% of the population by the end of the year. Attached to this will be a manufacturing strategy for the development in South Africa of Set Top Boxes, which should be finalised by the middle of the year.”<\/p>\n